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Why King Charles and Princess Diana's marriage was 'never meant to be'

The age gap between Charles and Diana—who married when she was just 20, while he was 32—was a contributing factor

By TCP News Desk March 20, 2025
The age gap between Charles and Diana—who married when she was just 20, while he was 32—was a contributing factor
The age gap between Charles and Diana—who married when she was just 20, while he was 32—was a contributing factor 

King Charles found one particular aspect of his marriage to Princess Diana especially difficult to handle, a former royal correspondent has claimed.

Speaking on the Loose Women podcast, Jane Moore, a former royal correspondent who met Diana multiple times, opened up about the challenges in the royal couple’s relationship—particularly the 12-year age gap between them.

Moore described the late Princess of Wales as “moody” and “mercurial,” traits that she believes Charles found difficult to cope with during their time together.

"She could be quite mercurial. One minute she’d be quite chitty chitty chat chat with you, and then if there was something that happened that she didn’t like, she would be very frosty," she explained.

The age gap between Charles and Diana—who married when she was just 20, while he was 32—was a contributing factor to their clashing personalities, Moore suggested.

"She was quite moody, I suppose, and I think that was what Charles found very difficult to cope with because she was a lot younger than him," she added.

Despite their high-profile union, which culminated in a grand royal wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1981, Charles and Diana’s marriage was fraught with difficulties.

In the Andrew Morton biography Diana: In Her Own Words, the late princess once recalled a heartfelt note she received from Prince Charles the night before their wedding.

"He sent me a very nice signet ring the night before to Clarence House, with the Prince of Wales feathers on and a very nice card that said: ‘I’m so proud of you and when you come up, I’ll be there at the altar for you tomorrow. Just look ‘em in the eye and knock ‘em dead.’"

Although their fairy-tale wedding was viewed by 750 million people worldwide, the marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1996, after 15 years and two sons—Prince William and Prince Harry.

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