First marriage Charles, Prince of Wales

the prince , princess of wales visit uluru (ayers rock), australia, march 1983

although charles first met lady diana spencer in 1977—while visiting home, althorp, companion of elder sister, sarah—he did not consider romantically until mid-1980. while sitting on bale of hay @ friend s barbecue in july, mentioned mountbatten s death, diana replied charles had looked forlorn , in need of care during uncle s funeral. soon, according charles s chosen biographer, jonathan dimbleby, without apparent surge in feeling, began think of potential bride , , accompanied charles on visits balmoral castle , sandringham house.

charles s cousin, norton knatchbull (amanda s eldest brother), , wife told charles diana appeared awestruck position , did not seem in love her. meanwhile, couple s continued courtship attracted intense press , paparazzi attention. when prince philip told him media speculation injure diana s reputation if charles did not come decision marrying soon, , realizing suitable royal bride (according mountbatten s criteria), charles construed father s advice warning proceed without further delay.

prince charles proposed diana in february 1981 , married in st paul s cathedral on 29 july. upon marriage, charles reduced voluntary tax contribution profits generated duchy of cornwall 50% 25%. couple made homes @ kensington palace , @ highgrove house, near tetbury, , had 2 children: princes william (born 21 june 1982) , henry (known harry ) (born 15 september 1984). charles set precedent being first royal father present @ children s births. persistent suggestions harry s father not charles james hewitt, whom diana had affair, have been based on physical similarity between hewitt , harry. however, harry had been born time affair between hewitt , diana began.

separation , divorce

within 5 years, couple s incompatibility , near thirteen-year age difference, diana s concern charles s previous girlfriend, camilla shand (later camilla parker bowles), became visible , damaging marriage. evident discomfort in each other s company led them being dubbed glums in press. diana exposed charles s affair camilla in book andrew morton, diana, true story. tapes of own extramarital flirtations surfaced.

in december 1992, british prime minister, john major, announced formal separation in parliament. same year, british press published bugged recordings of passionate private 1989 telephone conversation between charles , camilla parker bowles. charles , diana divorced on 28 august 1996. when diana died in car crash in paris on 31 august 1997, charles flew there, diana s sisters, accompany body britain.