On November 15, 2022, the world will mark the 40th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It was a union that was often turbulent and ended in divorce, but throughout their 20-year odyssey, there were moments of real affection, no matter how fleeting.
Princess Diana famously said that she and Prince Charles “fell in love gradually.” She told biographer Andrew Morton that “it wasn’t really dramatic. One blink and it would have gone.”
The question of whether Prince Charles ever truly loved Diana has been a subject of much debate. Many have argued that Charles was in love with Camilla Parker Bowles, his former girlfriend, throughout his marriage to Diana. However, it is clear that there were moments of genuine affection between the two.
In the early days of their relationship, Charles and Diana seemed very much in love. They were often seen laughing and holding hands in public, and Diana was said to be “the happiest she had ever been.”
However, as the years went on, the couple began to drift apart. Diana began to feel neglected by Charles, who was often away on royal duties. This led to a breakdown in their relationship, and Diana began to feel increasingly isolated.
Despite the difficulties in their marriage, Charles and Diana did share moments of genuine affection. In her biography, Diana wrote of a time when Charles surprised her with a bouquet of flowers and a heartfelt note. She also recalled a time when Charles took her on a romantic holiday to the Caribbean.
Ultimately, it is impossible to know whether Prince Charles ever truly loved Diana. However, it is clear that there were moments of genuine affection between the two, and that their relationship was more than just a marriage of convenience.
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