The relationship between King Charles and Princess Diana initially appeared to be a fairytale, but it was destined to fail from the beginning. Charles, then the Prince of Wales, had his heart set on another woman – Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Diana once famously stated that there were three people in their marriage. During an uncomfortable interview, when asked if they were “in love”, Diana replied: “Of course”.
A less enthusiastic Charles added: “Whatever ‘in love’ means.”
Despite his often cold indifference, Diana continued to seek his approval throughout the 80s. She was only 20 when she married the 32-year-old heir to the throne, and she continued to try and make their marriage work for the sake of her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
In 1985, she famously attempted to impress him by participating in a Royal Ballet dance with Wayne Sleep. Apparently a surprise for her husband on his 37th birthday, she appeared on stage at the Royal Opera House to perform a contemporary sequence to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Reports from the time suggest that Diana received a rapturous reception after the performance, but Charles remained seated. It has never been revealed exactly what the Prince’s reaction was, but the Netflix series The Crown portrayed him reacting angrily and describing the scene as “grotesque”.
Sleep later suggested that any anger was simply due to feeling left out.
Diana’s ballet teacher, Anne Allan, has provided fresh insight into the Princess’ love for dance in her new memoir, Dancing With Diana.
Allan recalls how Diana was thrilled by the audience’s reaction to her performance, writing: “After repeated curtain calls, an elated Diana left the stage and enthused, ‘Beats the wedding! ”Allan goes on to say Diana made her way to Charles and as she stood beside her husband, the dancer could ” Allan further reveals that Diana sought Prince Charles’s approval after her performance, but received a lukewarm response.
“Well done, darling,” Charles said, before turning his attention elsewhere – a reaction that must have been crushing for Diana. Unfortunately, no footage of this VIP event exists.
Reflecting on the experience years later, Sleep said: “She loved the freedom dancing gave her. A few days later, I got a letter. She wrote: ‘Now I understand the buzz you get from performing’.”
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