Princess Diana's Brother Exposes Her Wedding Secrets and the Hidden Realities of Marrying Royal
Charles Spencer recalls Diana's true feelings for Charles and the hidden pressures of royal marriage.
Charles Spencer has been busy promoting his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. During his press tour, Spencer has reflected fondly on his time with his elder sister, Princess Diana. Recently, the brother of the late Princess of Wales appeared on CBS Mornings, where he spoke to Gayle King about the book and his sister’s life. He also discussed Diana’s 1981 marriage to then-Prince Charles, sharing how she ultimately decided to get married to him, despite harboring significant doubts about their union.
When Spencer was asked why Diana chose to tie the knot with Charles, the Earl explained that “Diana was in love with the would-be king, which prompted her to push away any doubts she had about marrying him.” He recalled her sister telling him that the then-Prince of Wales confronted her about his feelings the day before their grand wedding, reportedly saying, “I’m not in love with you, but I’m going to marry you anyway.” Furthermore, this reportedly happened a day before the grand wedding, which seemingly made matters worse. Furthermore, Diana reportedly ended up confiding in their father about the exchange.
Spencer also explained that he knew Diana's feelings remained genuine despite what Charles had told her. He expressed, “Well, I, as a younger brother, was very reassured. You know, when I talked to Diana before the wedding, during the engagement, she was clearly, genuinely in love with Prince Charles, you see.” Spencer noted that his sister had no prior romance experience, making Charles her first big love. Keeping this in mind, he added, “The gravity and reality of the situation—plus her young age—made her decision all the more complex!”
Furthermore, according to PEOPLE, during an on-stage conversation with royal biographer Tina Brown, Spencer explained that being an outsider and marrying into the Royal Family can be exceptionally hard. He reflected on the intense pressures faced by the royal spouses, noting that trying to modernize the monarchy is impossible. The Earl stated, “Well, there are people who endure it; I think there are certain people who find it very difficult to be inside of it. I think if you grow up in a royal family, it’s a lot easier than marrying into it. If you look at the wives of those who’ve married in, it’s tough. It’s a way of thinking that is very specific.”
