The marriage of King Charles and his former late wife, Princess Diana, attracted significant attention, largely due to their 12-year age difference. Reports from the time suggest that then-Prince Charles viewed Diana as a child and believed that her youthful energy would keep him young. Diana was just 16 years old when she first met the 30-year-old Prince Charles. According to Inquisitr, their engagement came after only 13 meetings, on February 24, 1981. The considerable age gap between them sparked widespread discussion among the public and media.
Charles reflected on his first meeting with Diana, describing her as a “very jolly, amusing, and attractive 16-year-old.” As reported by The Guardian, Charles acknowledged the age difference, expressing his belief that Diana’s youth would help him stay young. He stated, “I think that Diana will keep me young, apart from anything else. I think I shall be exhausted.” Diana also addressed the age gap, emphasizing that it didn’t concern her, saying, “No, I haven’t somehow thought about it… I just feel you are as old as you think you are.”
Prince Charles Reportedly Called Diana a Child
Royal biographer Sarah Bradford revealed in the 2022 PBS documentary Di: The Truth Behind Their Wedding, as cited by Oprah Daily, that Charles considered Diana too young for marriage. Bradford quoted Charles describing Diana as “exquisitely pretty, a perfect poppy. But she is a child. She does not look old enough to be out of school, much less married.” Following their marriage in 1981, Charles commented that Diana, then 20, would undertake her royal duties. When asked if Diana was too young for such responsibilities, Charles responded that he had started his duties at a similar age, remarking, “I was about that age when I started. It’s obviously difficult to start with, but you just have to plunge in.”
Diana was indeed burdened with significant royal responsibilities from a young age. Despite their efforts, the royal couple’s marriage lasted nearly 15 years before their separation in 1996. Tragically, a year later, Diana died in a car crash on August 31, 1997, leaving behind her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The marriage of Charles and Diana remains a poignant chapter in royal history, marked by public scrutiny and personal challenges, with their age difference being a focal point of discussion.