Diana and Charles had a famously rocky relationship from the start of their marriage in 1981. He was first in line to the throne, and she was an aristocratic young nursery teacher who had never really been in the spotlight. From the moment they announced their engagement, she became a figure of great interest, as she was expected to one day become the Queen consort. She managed to adapt to this sudden fame very quickly, and became one of the most photographed women in the world. She became known as a leading humanitarian figure, a fashion icon and yet she apparently remained a very personable individual.

In BBC Radio 4’s podcast series, ‘Images of Diana’, journalist Natasha Kaplinsky explored how Diana managed to change from a shy woman to a global star.

She was pictured in November 1985 dancing with esteemed actor John Travolta in the White House in front of the President Ronald Reagan on an official visit to the US with her husband.

Ms Kaplinsky said: “Dancing in front of the president of America… It takes some guts to get up and dance in the White House like that.

“This is an image of Diana transformed what had happened to Diana behind the scenes to give her this new confidence, this new look, this new dynamism?”

Biographer Sarah Bradford said: “I don’t think it was anything but her that happened. By this time, Charles was no longer sleeping with her.

“He was saying things like ‘Why do they love her so much? All she ever did was say yes to me.’ He had this very downing effect.

“Her reaction to that was to project herself, to make herself into an international figure. I mean Americans in particular were impressed.”

Ms Kaplinsky added: “Well we were all glued let’s be honest.

“But this display of personality, it kind of irked the Royal Family in general didn’t it? It wasn’t a very royal thing to do.”

Ms Bradford responded: “I think it was particularly at Charles. I don’t think the Queen minded so much.”

Yet, one of Diana’s designers Elizabeth Emmanuel said her transformation had started much before that. She explained how just before the wedding, there was a pre-wedding ball when Diana lost a lot of weight.

According to Ms Emmanuel, she looked like “a catwalk model” which apparently “transformed her confidence”. The designer reportedly made her a vibrant, bright pink gown for that ball.

She continued: “It was at that point, she realised she looked stunning and she could survive on her own, she had something. Everybody wanted to watch what she was wearing, and it gave her a lot of confidence.”

DON’T MISS
Imran Khan’s Diana confession revealed as he meets William and Kate [INSIGHT]
Revealed: The heartbreaking dream Princess Diana never got to fulfil [ANALYSIS]
Queen Elizabeth II finds one thing ‘very hard’ about monarchy [EXPLAINED]

She added: “Everything started from when she lost the weight, got the confidence and started out on that road.”

Ms Kaplinsky also noted that the photograph itself is a “clear image of Diana upstaging Charles”.

As the Prince of Wales has been first in line to the throne since he had been very young, he reportedly has been doted on by relatives and been at the centre of media attention.

Many have noted how Charles did not react well to Diana’s global stardom.

The podcast also featured a recording from the press conference the following day, after Diana had danced with Mr Travolta.

Charles said to reporters: “I’m not a glove puppet so I can’t answer for that I’m afraid. But I think you enjoyed it didn’t you darling? Would be an idiot if she didn’t enjoy dancing with John Travolta wouldn’t she?”

Ms Kaplinsky added: “Charles was put out by Diana’s popularity and it shows.”

Ms Bradford added: “Absolutely, he was used to being number one and he knew that he wasn’t anymore.”

Diana became an established figure as she got older, stepping out on her own to represent various charitable causes. She gradually spoke out more about her troubled marriage, which distanced her from the rest of the Royal Family and culminated in her divorce with Charles in 1996.

She died tragically a year later, from injuries sustained in a car crash.

Source: Read Full Article