15 photos show how Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship changed over time

Mikhaila FrielNov 29, 2020, 17:54 IST

The Prince and Princess of Wales kiss at a polo match in 1995, left, and together in Windsor in 1992, the year of their separation.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Prince Charles and Princess Diana got married at St Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981.
Their marriage faced obstacles, including Charles' relationship with Camilla-Parker Bowles and the attention Diana received from the press, from the very beginning.
Diana once called her marriage to the prince "the worst day of my life."
However, the couple still experienced happy memories together throughout their 15-year marriage. Diana said they were at their closest just before their second child, Prince Harry, was born.
Here's how their relationship changed through the years.

The then-Lady Diana Spencer first met Prince Charles in 1977, when he was casually dating her sister Lady Sarah (pictured). Diana was just 16 at the time, and Charles was 28.

Prince Charles and Lady Sarah Spencer in 1977. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

The then-Lady Diana Spencer first met Prince Charles in 1977, when he was casually dating her sister Lady Sarah (pictured). Diana was just 16 at the time, and Charles was 28.

Diana and Charles re-connected in 1980, three years after they first met. The press attention was an obstacle from the beginning of their relationship — this photo shows Diana being followed by photographers shortly before their engagement.

Diana is followed by the press in 1980. Ian Tyas/Getty Images

Diana and Charles re-connected in 1980, three years after they first met. The press attention was an obstacle from the beginning of their relationship — this photo shows Diana being followed by photographers shortly before their engagement.

Diana and Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. When asked by an interviewer whether they were in love, Diana responded: "Of course." Charles said: "Whatever in love means."

Diana and Charles at their official engagement photo call. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Diana and Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. When asked by an interviewer whether they were in love, Diana responded: "Of course." Charles said: "Whatever in love means."

They tied the knot at St Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. They had their first kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, becoming the first royal couple to share their wedding kiss with the public.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony. Getty Images

They tied the knot at St Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. They had their first kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, becoming the first royal couple to share their wedding kiss with the public.

In audio footage of Diana which was later shared in the documentary "Diana: In Her Own Words," the princess called her wedding "the worst day of my life."

Diana and Charles on the balcony. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

The couple had their honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, where the royal family's holiday estate is. Diana revealed in the documentary that she saw Charles wearing a pair of cufflinks gifted to him by Camilla during their vacation.

The couple in Balmoral. Anwar Hussein/ WireImage/ Getty Images

The couple had their honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, where the royal family's holiday estate is. Diana revealed in the documentary that she saw Charles wearing a pair of cufflinks gifted to him by Camilla during their vacation.

In 1983 they took their first overseas tour together in Australia with their firstborn, Prince William. It was the tour that secured Diana's position as the "people's princess," and the increasing press attention she received reportedly made Charles jealous.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales visit Australia with their son, Prince William. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

In 1983 they took their first overseas tour together in Australia with their firstborn, Prince William. It was the tour that secured Diana's position as the "people's princess," and the increasing press attention she received reportedly made Charles jealous.

Diana and Charles shared this sweet moment at a polo match in July 1984, two months before Prince Harry was born. Diana said in the documentary that they were "the closest we've ever, ever been and the closest we'll ever be" during this period.

Charles kisses Diana's hand at a polo match. Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Diana and Charles shared this sweet moment at a polo match in July 1984, two months before Prince Harry was born. Diana said in the documentary that they were "the closest we've ever, ever been and the closest we'll ever be" during this period.

Their marriage "went down the drain" when Harry was born in 1984, according to Diana. Here they are with their second-born son on the hospital steps shortly after his birth.

Diana, Charles, and Prince Harry. Tom Wargacki/WireImage/Getty Images

Their marriage "went down the drain" when Harry was born in 1984, according to Diana. Here they are with their second-born son on the hospital steps shortly after his birth.

However, the couple still displayed affection in public throughout the years that followed. Here they are sharing a kiss at a polo match in 1985 ...

Charles and Diana shared a rare kiss in public. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

... and another kiss during their visit to Oman the following year.

Charles and Diana kissed at a polo match in Oman in 1986. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

With their two children, William and Harry, the Wales family appeared picture-perfect from an outside perspective.

Diana, Charles, William, and Harry. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Behind the scenes, however, things weren't working out. The couple officially separated in 1992, and continued to carry out their royal duties privately. They didn't divorce until four years later, in 1996.

Charles and Diana photographed together in 1992. Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Behind the scenes, however, things weren't working out. The couple officially separated in 1992, and continued to carry out their royal duties privately. They didn't divorce until four years later, in 1996.

They still appeared in public together as a family in the years between their separation and divorce — here they are with William and Harry in 1994. This was also the year that Charles admitted he had an affair, saying he had remained faithful until the relationship "became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

Charles and Diana with their sons in 1994. Terry Fincher/Getty Images

They still appeared in public together as a family in the years between their separation and divorce — here they are with William and Harry in 1994. This was also the year that Charles admitted he had an affair, saying he had remained faithful until the relationship "became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

Diana shared her side of the story during the now-famous BBC Panorama interview in 1995, where she said "there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

Diana speaking on Panorama. Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Diana shared her side of the story during the now-famous BBC Panorama interview in 1995, where she said "there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

I flew on the Spirit Airlines' first 'shuttle' flight from Newark to Boston for $25 and still overpaid – here's why it's a great budget option

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

15 photos show how Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship changed over time

The then-Lady Diana Spencer first met Prince Charles in 1977, when he was casually dating her sister Lady Sarah (pictured). Diana was just 16 at the time, and Charles was 28.

Diana and Charles re-connected in 1980, three years after they first met. The press attention was an obstacle from the beginning of their relationship — this photo shows Diana being followed by photographers shortly before their engagement.

Diana and Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. When asked by an interviewer whether they were in love, Diana responded: "Of course." Charles said: "Whatever in love means."

They tied the knot at St Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981. They had their first kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, becoming the first royal couple to share their wedding kiss with the public.

In audio footage of Diana which was later shared in the documentary "Diana: In Her Own Words," the princess called her wedding "the worst day of my life."

The couple had their honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, where the royal family's holiday estate is. Diana revealed in the documentary that she saw Charles wearing a pair of cufflinks gifted to him by Camilla during their vacation.

In 1983 they took their first overseas tour together in Australia with their firstborn, Prince William. It was the tour that secured Diana's position as the "people's princess," and the increasing press attention she received reportedly made Charles jealous.

Diana and Charles shared this sweet moment at a polo match in July 1984, two months before Prince Harry was born. Diana said in the documentary that they were "the closest we've ever, ever been and the closest we'll ever be" during this period.

Their marriage "went down the drain" when Harry was born in 1984, according to Diana. Here they are with their second-born son on the hospital steps shortly after his birth.

However, the couple still displayed affection in public throughout the years that followed. Here they are sharing a kiss at a polo match in 1985 ...

... and another kiss during their visit to Oman the following year.

With their two children, William and Harry, the Wales family appeared picture-perfect from an outside perspective.

Behind the scenes, however, things weren't working out. The couple officially separated in 1992, and continued to carry out their royal duties privately. They didn't divorce until four years later, in 1996.

Diana shared her side of the story during the now-famous BBC Panorama interview in 1995, where she said "there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded."