The marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana was considered one of the fairytale romances of the century. However, their relationship was not without challenges, and the 1988 avalanche incident at Klosters added another layer of tension.
This incident is believed to have contributed significantly to the eventual breakdown of the royal couple’s marriage. Let’s explore the pre-incident tensions in their marriage, how the avalanche incident affected their relationship, and reports that Charles would not have considered marrying Camilla even if divorced from Diana.
The Background of Charles and Diana’s Relationship
Prince Charles and Diana Spencer first met in 1977 and married in a grand ceremony in 1981. At the time of their marriage, Charles was already in his late 30s, and Diana was just 20 years old.
The marriage received global attention and was considered a fairytale romance. However, the couple was not as compatible as it seemed, and their frequent arguments were reportedly common.
The Incident
In March 1988, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, their two sons, and some friends went skiing in Klosters, Switzerland. During one of their skiing expeditions, an avalanche struck, injuring the then-pregnant Princess Diana and several other party members.
The incident brought intense media attention and scrutiny to the royal couple, making the tensions in their relationship more evident.
Pre-Incident Tensions in Charles and Diana’s Marriage
The 1988 Klosters Avalanche incident was not the first time Charles and Diana’s relationship was strained. Even before their marriage, the couple was reportedly not a good match. Charles was more reserved and thoughtful, whereas Diana was more outgoing and spontaneous.
These differences frequently led to arguments and disagreements, which only worsened over time. While many reasons have been suggested, including infidelity, the couple’s inability to connect deeply was likely a significant factor.
The Aftermath of the Avalanche Incident
Following the Klosters Avalanche incident, the relationship between Charles and Diana only worsened. Diana reportedly blamed Charles for the incident, and the following media scrutiny only worsened the tensions.
Charles tried to offer support, but his inability to connect with Diana adequately left her isolated and alone. The incident seemed to have accelerated the marriage’s breakdown, culminating in their eventual separation three years later.
Despite many rumors and allegations of infidelity, Prince Charles did not marry his current wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, until 2005, over a decade after his divorce from Diana.
In a book published in 2015, a close confidant of Charles indicated that the prince had no intention of marrying Camilla, even if he had divorced Diana. This report suggests that Charles’s primary focus was always to save his marriage to Diana, even though the relationship was not working.
Bottom line
The 1988 Klosters Avalanche Incident highlighted the pre-existing strains in Charles and Diana’s marriage. The incident and the media scrutiny that followed only worsened their relationship, ultimately leading to their eventual separation.
Prince Charles seemed to have been committed to saving the marriage despite rumors of infidelity. The reports that he would not have married Camilla even if he divorced from Diana only emphasize this point.
The marriage between Charles and Diana was not the fairytale romance many had assumed, but rather a story of two individuals trying to make an incompatible relationship work.