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Diana and Charles Engagement

(136 Posts)
Beswitched Wed 08-Dec-21 12:33:07

I was watching a documentary about Princess Diana on Netflix last night and started wondering what public reaction would have been if William or Harry had got engaged, in their early 30s, to a 19 year old teenager who had only been on the scene for a few months.

I think there would have been considerable disquiet, not the general delight and cheering that greeted the announcement in 1981.

Obviously even then some people felt the whole thing was ridiculous, but there was also huge public support for the marriage.

Times have changed.

Chestnut Wed 08-Dec-21 16:02:34

I was given to understand that Camilla didn't marry Charles because she didn't want to be in the Royal spotlight. After all it is a huge responsibility marrying an heir to the throne and your life will be under constant scrutiny for ever more. I can't blame her, but Charles was upset so I believe as he had set his heart on her.

Anniebach Wed 08-Dec-21 16:02:34

She certainly didn’t avoid the camera’s on her way to work,
and certainly wasn’t shy

Anniebach Wed 08-Dec-21 16:05:55

Camilla wanted to marry Parker Bowles, she was in love with him, I saw the wedding photographs at the time, this was long before the Camilla loved Charles started in the press, several years before .

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 08-Dec-21 16:07:03

I never believed Diana didn’t realise that skirt was transparent…

Chestnut Wed 08-Dec-21 16:11:04

Anniebach

Camilla wanted to marry Parker Bowles, she was in love with him, I saw the wedding photographs at the time, this was long before the Camilla loved Charles started in the press, several years before .

I believe Charles knew and dated Camilla before Parker Bowles but never got her to the altar. She then met Parker Bowles and the rest is history.

Lucca Wed 08-Dec-21 16:11:28

Anniebach

She certainly didn’t avoid the camera’s on her way to work,
and certainly wasn’t shy

Oh come on. The girl had to get to work.

Anniebach Wed 08-Dec-21 16:19:49

Kate changed jobs when the press hounded her ,

Lucca Wed 08-Dec-21 16:22:24

Anniebach

Kate changed jobs when the press hounded her ,

So ?? Diana loved her job.

Framilode Wed 08-Dec-21 16:24:22

Diana was ambitious, she wanted to 'best' her sister Sarah. I also think she wanted to be Princess of Wales. She was infatuated by the Prince of Wales rather than Charles the man.
Charles had to marry someone suitable and in those days that meant someone from the right background. He was being pressured to find a wife and Diana fitted the criteria.
They were never right for each other.

Parsley3 Wed 08-Dec-21 16:29:57

Anniebach if neither Harry nor Diana are to be believed where can I find a reliable source of information about the RF?

Anniebach Wed 08-Dec-21 16:31:31

Agree Framilode and she wanted to please her father

MissAdventure Wed 08-Dec-21 16:32:14

On here, apparently.

Parsley3 Wed 08-Dec-21 16:33:55

? MissA

Anniebach Wed 08-Dec-21 16:35:28

Parsley by looking at facts and listening to what they say .

25Avalon Wed 08-Dec-21 16:36:44

I think Diana had an unrealistic fairy tale view of Charles and being a princess. She was only 19. Then it all unraveled horribly and her dream turned into a nightmare. In those days it was still held that the future king had to marry a virgin. Things have moved on a pace since then. People now routinely live together before getting married so have a better idea of compatibility before committing. If Charles and Diana had done the same maybe things would have turned out differently.

Ladyleftfieldlover Wed 08-Dec-21 16:36:45

Anniebach

The countess of Wessex nearly lost the plot ? Rubbish ,

Don’t you remember the Fake Sheik? After that debacle, the Countess had to give up paid employment.

MissAdventure Wed 08-Dec-21 16:38:20

Wasnt she beautiful though?
No wonder charles was smitten.

Parsley3 Wed 08-Dec-21 16:40:58

Ah, but who can verify the facts? See the Fake Sheik post above.

Lucca Wed 08-Dec-21 16:42:37

MissAdventure

Wasnt she beautiful though?
No wonder charles was smitten.

Undeniably.

Lucca Wed 08-Dec-21 16:43:47

I’m making no comments on her character but she was incredibly stylish too, not just “correctly” dressed.

Beswitched Wed 08-Dec-21 16:52:14

I never th she was beautiful. Good looking, elegant and impeccably groomed, but not beautiful in the way Princess Grace was for example.
Kate is beautiful. I have seen her in real life and she really is lovely.

Beswitched Wed 08-Dec-21 16:53:10

And was Charles ever really smitten?

MissAdventure Wed 08-Dec-21 16:53:14

I find Kate to be very mediocre.

MissAdventure Wed 08-Dec-21 16:55:53

Well, I'd like to believe charles was at least a little smitten.
It really doesn't reflect well on him if not.
There is a name for people who just use others, with no thought for their feelings.

mumofmadboys Wed 08-Dec-21 16:56:58

I would settle for Kate's mediocrity happily!!