Here's how Diana told a young Prince William of his father's affair
She did it in the sweetest way possible
PHOTO:FILE
It’s no secret that Prince William was especially close with his late mother, Princess Diana. He has talked about their relationship plenty in recent months, ahead of the 20th anniversary of her tragic death.
But while William hasn't been quite as outspoken about the impact that his parents' divorce had on him and his brother Prince Harry, there are a few instances that likely influenced and cemented the connection he had with Diana at the time.
Diana and Prince Charles separated in 1992, amid rumors of infidelity on both sides but particularly concerning the latter’s ongoing affair with former girlfriend Camilla Parker-Bowles. It was in 1986 that he rekindled their romance, and when Diana caught wind of this, she didn't back down. The normally shy princess actually confronted Camilla (at her sister's birthday party, no less) about the affair, destroying what little harmony was left in her marriage, reported Pop Sugar.
In 1995, Diana made another brazen gesture when she did a sit-down, televised interview with BBC's Martin Bashir. In it, she not only said the infamous quote, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded" but she also revealed that she told William, then 13, about his father's extramarital affair. "I told William, 'If you find someone you love in life, you must hang onto it and look after it. And if you are lucky enough to find someone who loves you, then you must protect it’," she said.
UK's Prince William steps down from ambulance job to become full-time royal
The ill-fated British royal then went on to admit that she didn't want to end the marriage. "I don't want a divorce but obviously, we need clarity on a situation that has been of enormous discussion over the last three years," said Diana adding, "I await my husband's decision of which way we are all going to go."
In an unprecedented move, the queen sent letters to Diana and Charles requesting that they divorce immediately. The divorce was finalised on August 28, 1996, and Diana was killed in a car accident almost one year later. And judging by William's seemingly picture-perfect relationship with wife Kate Middleton, we have to imagine that he has taken his mother's advice to heart.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
But while William hasn't been quite as outspoken about the impact that his parents' divorce had on him and his brother Prince Harry, there are a few instances that likely influenced and cemented the connection he had with Diana at the time.
Diana and Prince Charles separated in 1992, amid rumors of infidelity on both sides but particularly concerning the latter’s ongoing affair with former girlfriend Camilla Parker-Bowles. It was in 1986 that he rekindled their romance, and when Diana caught wind of this, she didn't back down. The normally shy princess actually confronted Camilla (at her sister's birthday party, no less) about the affair, destroying what little harmony was left in her marriage, reported Pop Sugar.
In 1995, Diana made another brazen gesture when she did a sit-down, televised interview with BBC's Martin Bashir. In it, she not only said the infamous quote, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded" but she also revealed that she told William, then 13, about his father's extramarital affair. "I told William, 'If you find someone you love in life, you must hang onto it and look after it. And if you are lucky enough to find someone who loves you, then you must protect it’," she said.
UK's Prince William steps down from ambulance job to become full-time royal
The ill-fated British royal then went on to admit that she didn't want to end the marriage. "I don't want a divorce but obviously, we need clarity on a situation that has been of enormous discussion over the last three years," said Diana adding, "I await my husband's decision of which way we are all going to go."
In an unprecedented move, the queen sent letters to Diana and Charles requesting that they divorce immediately. The divorce was finalised on August 28, 1996, and Diana was killed in a car accident almost one year later. And judging by William's seemingly picture-perfect relationship with wife Kate Middleton, we have to imagine that he has taken his mother's advice to heart.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.