Prince Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana ‘will always haunt him’, says author: ‘Remembered for one thing’
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No matter what Prince Charles does or says, his ex-wife’s legacy will be right behind him.
Almost 25 years after Princess Diana’s tragic death at 36, her ex-husband is still remembered for their doomed marriage.
It took years for many Britons to forgive the Prince of Wales, whose admitted infidelity and longstanding ties to Camilla Parker Bowles torpedoed his marriage to Diana, known as the ‘people’s princess’. Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son was considered the world’s most eligible bachelor when he married Lady Diana Spencer aged just 20 in 1981. The wedding was seen by a global television audience of 750 million people in 74 countries.
The glamorous mother of Princes William and Harry died in a car crash in 1997, five years after her messy and public split from Charles. In 2005 Charles married Camilla, who became Duchess of Cornwall. In January this year, the Queen expressed her heartfelt wish that Camilla, initially shunned by Diana fans, would be known as Queen Consort when Charles takes the throne.
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Prince Charles and Princess Diana share two sons: Princes William and Harry.
(Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Over the years, Charles has tried to make his mark as first on the throne. However, some royal writers have shared that Diana’s legacy continues to hang over her accomplishments.
“His tragedy is whatever he does, whatever he says, whatever he behaves, he will be remembered for one thing: the fact that his fairy tale marriage has come to an end,” said the biographer of Diana, Andrew Morton, at People magazine in this week’s issue. “As [King] Henry VIII is known for his six wives, Prince Charles is known for his first wife. It will always haunt him. Her life has been defined by her marriage.”
“Diana’s ghost truly stalked him at every turn,” royal biographer Ingrid Seward added.
According to the outlet, the 73-year-old does not speak publicly about Diana. In 2005, Charles cooperated with an investigation into various conspiracy theories surrounding Diana’s death.
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Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially divorced in 1996, a year before Diana’s tragic death at 36.
(Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
The public mood surrounding Charles and Camilla has since softened.
Now known as the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, 75, has taken on roles in over 100 charities, focusing on a wide range of issues including promoting literacy, supporting victims of domestic violence and help for the elderly.
With a down-to-earth style and a sense of humor, she ended up winning over many Britons. Its warmth softened Charles’ sweltering image and made him seem more relaxed, if not happier, as he visited places of worship, unveiled plaques and awaited his chance to rule.
Charles, 73, has long made it known he wants Camilla to be known as Queen when he eventually succeeds her mother to the throne.
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From left to right: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
In 2017, Morton told Fox News Digital that Diana relied on her sons for support during her crumbling marriage to Charles.
“As the boys grew up and became like her advisers and friends as a son, she started enjoying life a lot more,” Morton said at the time. “Diana was very protective of William and Harry. [If] you already criticized the boys… she would be on you like a tigress. She was the only one who could criticize those two. Of course, she spoiled them… She wanted to be a full-fledged mother herself.”
Morton said there is still much to discover and enjoy about Diana today.
“I think what I realized was that she left a lot of her life in compartments,” he explained. “And you felt like you knew her, but you didn’t. You kinda knew her…She was a mysterious woman as well as a compassionate woman.”
The Associated Press continued this report.
