Princess Diana faced a harsh life as a royal, constantly followed by the tabloid press. Her troubled marriage to King Charles, filled with love issues and affairs, ended in divorce. Shortly after, she died in the tragic Paris car crash.
Rumors say their love was never real. On the eve of their wedding, Charles reportedly sent Diana a secret note that left her devastated, admitting he didn’t love her, according to her astrologer.
Loved worldwide, Diana was down-to-earth, funny, and a devoted mother. Her death shocked the world, and her legacy remains unforgettable. She was likely the most photographed person ever, chased relentlessly by the paparazzi.
Princess Diana – King Charles
Everyone wanted a piece of Princess Diana. Paparazzi offered up to $500,000 for blurry photos. Her sons, William and Harry, saw how harshly the press treated her. Harry once said he nearly left the Royal Family in his 20s because he feared the same fate.
Diana’s private life was troubled, especially her marriage to King Charles. Just years after their wedding, Charles resumed his affair with Camilla, who would later become his wife.
Charles and Camilla’s relationship began in 1972, introduced by a mutual friend. Though Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, she stayed close to Charles. Meanwhile, Charles started dating Diana, who was only 16.
At first, Camilla liked Diana, but soon Diana felt like a threat in their circle.
Lunch with Camilla
After Diana and Charles got engaged, Camilla invited Diana to lunch, sounding friendly. But the meeting was awkward—Camilla asked odd questions, like whether Diana would join Charles on hunting trips.
Diana later realized Camilla was trying to learn her routines, possibly to visit Charles secretly.
Just before the wedding, Diana had lunch with her sisters and confessed, “I can’t marry him. This is unbelievable.” They joked she was too far in to back out.
Confronting Camilla
Charles and Camilla’s affair began in 1986 while Charles was still married to Diana. In 1989, Diana confronted Camilla, warning her to back off. Camilla recalled Diana saying, “You’ve got everything—what more do you want?” Camilla replied, “I want my husband.”
Diana’s astrologer says problems started even before their 1981 wedding. Charles proposed just a year after they met, but issues were already brewing beneath the surface.
Charles’ secret note to Diana before wedding
Before their engagement, Diana had doubts about marrying Charles. During a tense interview, Charles famously said, “Whatever love means,” which confused and upset her.
Their wedding was on July 29, 1981, but the night before, Diana was anxious. At Clarence House, Charles unexpectedly gave her a gift with a secret note inside.
The note contained advice and a surprising confession from Charles, who was 12 years older than 20-year-old Diana.
Left Princess Diana ‘devastated’
Charles sent Diana a signet ring with a note: “I’m so proud of you… just look ’em in the eye and knock ’em dead.” But the night before their wedding, he shocked her by admitting he didn’t love her.
Diana’s astrologer, Penny Thornton, said Charles didn’t want to enter the marriage on a false promise. This devastated Diana, who even considered not going through with the wedding.
About 750 million people worldwide watched their wedding.
‘Mistake’ marrying Princess Diana
Though they seemed happy, Charles wasn’t sure about marrying Diana. Royal author Penny Junor said Charles thought it was a mistake but felt it was too late to stop.
“A year after the wedding, Prince William was born, then Harry.”
In a 1985 letter, Diana shared a sweet glimpse of their boys’ early bond: “William adores his little brother and showers him with hugs and kisses, barely letting the parents near!”
Beautiful letters on Harry & William
Princess Diana’s letters revealed that Prince Harry was often “constantly in trouble” at school. She also shared the joy of being a mother and the difficult times ahead.
Despite royal life, Diana made sure William and Harry had normal childhood moments. She even sneaked them out of the palace for fast food.
Her chef recalled Diana saying, “Cancel lunch for the boys, I’m taking them to McDonald’s.” When he offered to cook burgers, she replied, “No, it’s the toy they want.”
Diana and Charles separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. A year later, the nation mourned her tragic death in a car accident in Paris.
Passed away in 1997
Princess Diana died in a tragic car crash in Paris in 1997, leaving her sons, William and Harry, motherless. Surgeon MonSef Dahman, who tried to save her, said they fought hard but couldn’t save her.
After her death, Charles reportedly realized how much he truly loved Diana. Her friend Simone Simmons said Charles only understood real love after she was gone.
Princess Diana will always be remembered. Rest in peace.