By: History.com Editors

1981

Prince Charles marries Lady Diana

History.com Editors

Published: February 09, 2010

Last Updated: March 02, 2025

Nearly one billion television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, to Lady Diana Spencer, a young English kindergarten teacher's assistant. Married in a grand ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of 2,650 guests, the couple was—for that moment at least—the envy of the world. Their first child, Prince William, was born in 1982, and their second, Prince Harry, in 1984.

Before long, however, the fairy-tale couple grew apart, an experience that was particularly painful under the ubiquitous eyes of the world’s tabloid media. Diana and Charles announced a separation in 1992, though they continued to carry out their royal duties. In August 1996, two months after Queen Elizabeth II urged the couple to divorce, the prince and princess reached a final agreement. In exchange for a generous settlement, and the right to retain her apartments at Kensington Palace and her title of “princess,” Diana agreed to relinquish the title of “Her Royal Highness” and any future claims to the British throne.

What Made These Royal Marriages So Scandalous?

Why do royal marriages fascinate us? Sometimes it's the fairytale romance, other times the pomp and circumstance. In the case of these sacred unions - it was the scandal.

In the year following the divorce, the popular princess seemed well on her way of achieving her dream of becoming “a queen in people’s hearts,” but on August 31, 1997, she was killed with her companion Dodi Fayed in a car accident in Paris. Tests conducted by French police indicated that the driver, who also died in the crash, was intoxicated and likely caused the accident while trying to escape the paparazzi photographers who consistently tailed Diana during any public outing.

On April 9, 2005, Prince Charles wed his longtime mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, in a private civil ceremony. The ceremony had originally been planned for April 8, but had to be rescheduled so as not to conflict with the funeral of Pope John Paul II. After the civil ceremony, which the queen did not attend, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams blessed the union on behalf of the Church of England in a separate blessing ceremony. An estimated 750 guests attended the event, which was held at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor and was attended by both of Charles’ parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

How Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s Wedding Became a Global Phenomenon

The marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana unfolded like a fairytale—and the world was riveted.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles on their wedding day.

By: Jessica Pearce Rotondi

Timeline

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1900

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1921

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1958

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Citation Information

Article title
Prince Charles marries Lady Diana
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
March 24, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
March 02, 2025
Original Published Date
February 09, 2010

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