King Charles III has had two high-profile marriages in his life, but there was a third woman who almost became the Princess of Wales — and her last name carries a lot of weight in the royal fold.
Amanda Knatchbull and Charles dated on and off from 1974 to 1979. She is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s maternal uncle who was a father figure to him. Lord Mountbatten was also Charles’ godfather and served as one of his key advisors as a young royal. The last name has also made headlines in recent years, as Penny Knatchbull, Amanda’s sister-in-law, became a constant figure in Philip’s life, especially during his later years living at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate after his retirement.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Lord Mountbatten was very hopeful that Charles and Amanda would end up together, and Charles did propose to his granddaughter. However, Amanda “refused him” due to being “unwilling to step onto the royal treadmill," per royal biographer Sarah Bradford.
Despite his on-again, off-again relationship with Amanda, Charles met Diana Spencer, the future Princess of Wales, in November 1977 when she was 16 and he was 29. Charles was visiting the Spencer family home because he was dating Diana’s older sister, Lady Sarah. The Prince of Wales and Diana began their romantic relationship in the summer of 1980 after reconnecting at a friend’s home. After a short courtship, the couple announced their engagement on February 24, 1981, and were married later that year on July 29, 1981.
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Charles and Diana’s wedding was the royal event of the decade, with an estimated 750 million viewers watching their televised nuptials around the world and 600,000 people lining the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds. The couple made history and even started the tradition of sharing a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 29: Prince Charles And Princess Diana Kissing On The Balcony Of Buckingham Palace On Their Wedding Day. (l To R) Lord Nicholas Windsor, Edward Van Cutsem, Sarah Jane Gaselee, Catherine Cameron, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Clementine Hambro And Queen Elizabeth II. The Princess Is Wearing A Wedding Dress Designed By David And Elizabeth Emanuel. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
However, Diana later called her wedding the "worst day of my life" in secret audio tapes recorded for an interview in 1991. She recalled feeling like "a lamb to the slaughter,” experiencing intense loneliness, anxiety, and doubts about marrying Charles.
Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in August 1996. They welcomed two children together, Prince William and Prince Harry. Diana died in August 1997 after a high-speed car crash in Paris.
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Diana’s uncertainty about her marriage was not unfounded, as Charles had a lingering relationship with another old flame, Camilla Parker Bowles. The couple dated briefly in the early 1970s before Charles joined the Royal Navy in 1972. Camilla went on to marry Andrew Parker Bowles the following year, and they have two children together. Charles and Camilla remained friends for years, which led to an affair while they were both still married.
Prince Charles And Camilla Parker-Bowles in 1979. (exact Day Date Not Certain) (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)Tim Graham/Getty Images
During a 1994 interview, Charles claimed he was faithful to Diana until their marriage became “irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.” Diana pointed to Camilla being a roadblock during her marriage to Charles, even claiming she found a bracelet he had made for her the night before their wedding.
Despite a lot of drama and heartbreak, Charles and Camilla finally wed in April 2005.
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