On this day February 24 1981 Prince Charles announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer marking the beginning of one of the most famous royal marriages in history. The announcement was made from Buckingham Palace and quickly became global news as the world became captivated by the young couple.
At the time of the engagement Charles was 32 years old while Diana was 19. Their courtship had been brief but the royal family and the public saw Diana as a perfect match for the future king. During their official engagement interview Diana famously responded to a question about love with the phrase whatever love means which left many wondering about the true nature of their relationship.
The engagement ring chosen by Diana was a 12 carat blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds which later became the engagement ring of Kate Middleton when Prince William proposed in 2010. The royal wedding took place on July 29 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide.
80s insight: Diana was the first British citizen to marry an heir to the throne in over 300 years breaking a long tradition of royal marriages to foreign nobility.
At the time of the engagement Charles was 32 years old while Diana was 19. Their courtship had been brief but the royal family and the public saw Diana as a perfect match for the future king. During their official engagement interview Diana famously responded to a question about love with the phrase whatever love means which left many wondering about the true nature of their relationship.
The engagement ring chosen by Diana was a 12 carat blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds which later became the engagement ring of Kate Middleton when Prince William proposed in 2010. The royal wedding took place on July 29 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide.
80s insight: Diana was the first British citizen to marry an heir to the throne in over 300 years breaking a long tradition of royal marriages to foreign nobility.
