On This Day: Charles and Diana's Awkward Engagement Interview, 1981

'On This Day: Charles and Diana's Awkward Engagement Interview, 1981'

On this day in 1981, the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer announced their engagement.

Their interview became famous after Diana later admitted it left her "traumatised", and was recreated in the fourth season of Netflix's The Crown.

#PrinceCharles #PrincessDiana #OnThisDay

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[iknowexactlywhoyouare]

“Whatever in love means.” Those four words had sadly haunted the rest of her life.

[kitsiewr]

I remember at the time, when he said "Whatever being in love means", my jaw dropped - and NOBODY commented or seemed to notice that !?!?!?

[hitesh_blues]

Diana said "of course" and he said "whatever". This should not have gone any further than this

[splinterbyrd]

Poor girl, she was 19yo and hadn't the slightest idea of what she was getting herself into

[na-ra]

Diana is giving that cute, innocent and dreamy teenager vibe 🥺😭

[lizzienepia]

Princess Diana deserved so much better. It makes me sad everytime I see her.

[lovely.sakuradoll]

I know most mention the part of "whatever in love means". But I am shocked by how he says "he thought she was an attractive 16 year old"...how anyone thought this whole marriage was the right thing is beyond me....

[JoseSalasblanca]

Not sure if he was nervous but "whatever in love means" is something you wouldn't say or even think if you truly know she's the right person to get married with.

[melpara]

Oh my gosh, what a beauty, shy, innocent, like an angel 🥰🍀

[RLviddy]

Diana was quick to laugh to try to make light of it, she knew as much as Charles did that it wasn't right. They went ahead with it out of duty but jeez, 19 is really young to be going through all that.

[rosegardens]

The disappointment in Diana's eyes when that dope said that what ever love means, poor darling ❤

[godandsarah]

Oh my.. Charles does look depressed, and Diana looks awkward like she has a big crush on him, but she knows it's not mutual. This hurts 😢

[chanellegale]

"Whatever in love means" 😮 I wanted to just hug Diana after that.. She did say tho they'd only seen each other 13 times before they got marrried which 🤯

[AndySaenz]

It really bothers me that she’s dead. She could have been the queen by now! He didn’t take good care of her! She deserved so much better than him. Rest in Heaven, Princess Diana.

[FilleDesSoucoupesVolantes]

"Whatever in love means". That completely flew under the radar back then. It is apparent no one dared question it. A response that someone that never experienced love may have given. What a complete sham of a marriage. What a wasted opportunity at love. What a cold cold family.

[shirleylarose]

I will always forever keep in mind the best and beautiful of Princess Diana 💖

[zzzbbbooo]

Nobody at the time - press or public - dissected this interview - or that particularly casual comment from Charles - at all. Everybody loved it, loved the couple and looked forward to their wedding and life together. It was not considered a mismatch or awkward in any way.

[rubyred]

He couldn’t even fake it. That reply has gone down in history as just the most bizarre thing to say! I was young but to this day I will never forget it and how badly I felt for Diana who will always be a queen of the peoples hearts, RIP

[SemRotulagem]

Who also came here after the crown episode? Lol

[artisthusnatalal]

*What a beauty! You'll always be Loved by everyone not by those "whatever Love meant to them!"* ❤