Prince Charles "Desperately" Wanted to Call Off His Wedding to Princess Diana, According to a New Biography
In his new book, Charles At Seventy: Thoughts, Hopes And Dreams, royal biographer Robert Jobson reveals that Prince Charles never wanted to marry Princess Diana. Here are some of the biggest reveals from the biography.

If you've ever seen a photo of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, then you probably already know that their relationship was never a particularly happy one. In a new biography called Charles At Seventy: Thoughts, Hopes And Dreams, royal biographer Robert Jobson confirms what royal watchers have long suspected from Charles' barely-veiled hints: He never really wanted to marry Diana in the first place.
Jobson has been a a royal reporter for almost three decades and recently spent 18 months accompanying Charles on official tours around the world while researching the new book, which will be released on November 1, according to The Mirror.
Here are some of the biggest reveals from the new book, which is being serialized in the Daily Mail leading up to its release:
Charles was "desperate" to get out of the wedding:
"I desperately wanted to get out of the wedding in 1981, when during the engagement I discovered just how awful the prospects were, having had no chance whatsoever to get to know Diana beforehand," he told friends, according to the book.
Prince Philip was also concerned about the engagement:
According to Jobson, he told Charles that he "should either propose to [Diana] or release her."
Philip apparently wrote this to Charles in a letter, which some have said was "curt," but which Jobson's sources say wasn't.
"It was measured and sensitive," Charles's cousin, Lady Pamela Hicks, who says she read Philip's letter herself, told Jobson
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Prince Charles doesn't blame his parents for his marriage to Diana:
Charles blames the media for pushing him into an engagement:
"More important, insiders say Charles does not blame his father or mother at all for his unhappy marriage. Nor does he blame them for his inability to back out of the engagement," Jobson writes.
"Things were very different in those days," Charles told close friends, according to Jobson. "The power and influence of the media driving matters towards an engagement and wedding were unstoppable. To have withdrawn, as you can no doubt imagine, would have been cataclysmic. Hence I was permanently between the devil and the deep blue sea."
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Jennifer Lopez Dips Her Fingers Into a Rising Manicure Trend
It's the perfect shade for solo V-Day plans.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Prince Charles Sent Princess Diana an Unexpectedly Touching Letter Before Their Wedding
The late royal shared the details of his intimate card and personalized gift.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
I'm Copying Issa Rae's View on Gray Hair Immediately
Her approach to aging is such a breath of fresh air.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Prince Charles Sent Princess Diana an Unexpectedly Touching Message Before Their Royal Wedding
The late royal shared the details of his intimate card and personalized gift.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry and Prince William Share This Parenting Conundrum as They Honor Princess Diana
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex have found themselves in similar situations recently.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Exclusive: Princess Diana Would “Send Romantic Cards to Prince Charles” But “He Never Returned the Compliment,” Per Former Royal Butler
Diana’s butler, Paul Burrell, tells ‘Marie Claire’ how the royals “never acknowledged” Valentine’s Day.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana Enjoyed a Rather Bizarre Snack Her Royal Chef Kept On Hand
It's not what you'd normally pick for a midnight snack.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Had a Heartbreaking Reason for Choosing His Childhood Dream Job
The surprising occupation had to do with his mom, Princess Diana.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana Once Wore an Unbelievable "Disguise" for a Secret Night Out With an A-List Singer
"We were nudging each other like naughty schoolchildren."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Charlotte Shows a Striking Similarity to Grandma Princess Diana in Viral TikTok
"Charlotte is the exact copy of her."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
10 Investment Handbags That Come With the Royal Family's Stamp of Approval
Your cheat sheet to regal bags.
By Kristin Contino Published