Royal romances often don't come to light until weeks or months later, with the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Diana and King Charles keeping their early relationships out of the public eye.
The latter met in 1977 when Charles was visiting Diana's older sister Lady Sarah (his then-girlfriend) at the Spencer estate, Althorp House. Charles reportedly saw his future bride as a "jolly" girl before romance blossomed several years later in 1980.
Before the couple announced their engagement in February 1981, they had reportedly only met 13 times – and one of those saw Charles make a request that Diana found "rather improper."
© GettyThe late Queen Elizabeth II's son was already looking to the future with his then-girlfriend, taking her on a tour of his beloved home, Highgrove House, which he purchased in 1980.
Top 5 royal proposals
© Getty1. Prince William and Princess Kate
Prince William proposed in a quiet moment away from the paparazzi, while they were staying in the foothills of Mount Kenya with friends. The couple announced their proposal on 16th November, 2010.
2. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Prince Harry popped the question in the kitchen of Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace after the pair had enjoyed a home-cooked roast.
3. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
While walking in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Prince Philip proposed in the summer of 1946. The engagement news was kept secret till after the Queen's 21st birthday.
4. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
Jack proposed on New Year's Day 2018 on their trip to Nicaragua. Princess Eugenie described it as the ''perfect" moment as they were surrounded by beautiful landscape.
5. Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson
When Edward VIII proposed to American socialite and divorcee, Wallis Simpson, in 1936, it caused a royal crisis and the abdication of the monarch. He asked for her hand in marriage at Slogarie House in Mossdale in a secret garden during a party.
"During that first weekend, Prince Charles showed Diana around Highgrove, the 353-acre Gloucestershire home he had bought in July – the same month he had started to woo her," wrote Andrew Morton in his biography, Diana: Her True Story — In Her Own Words, which was written with Diana's cooperation.
"As he took her on a guided tour of the eight-bedroom mansion, the Prince asked her to organise the interior decoration. He liked her taste, though she felt that it was a 'most improper' suggestion as they were not even engaged."
Royal romance
© Tim GrahamFollowing their whirlwind romance, Charles and Diana got married on 29 July 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral, before moving into Highgrove in the Gloucestershire countryside. It is here that their sons, Prince William, born in 1982, and Prince Harry, born in 1984, spent many of their childhood years.
Before tying the knot, the couple were quizzed about getting married and how they would handle life together. Charles confessed that he had some concerns about balancing his royal duties alongside raising a family. "This is the most difficult thing, trying to work out how you can have a family life as well as all the public demands that there are. I tend to lead a sort of idiotic existence of trying to get involved in too many things and dashing about," the then-Prince said. "It isn't easy, there's so much to be done."
After a decade of marriage, the pair called it quits in 1992. The statement from Diana's team at the time read: "The Princess of Wales has agreed to Prince Charles' request for a divorce. The princess will continue to be involved in all decisions relating to the children and will remain at Kensington Palace with offices in St. James's Place. The Princess of Wales will retain the title and be known as Diana, Princess of Wales." The divorce was finalised in 1996, and one year later, Diana tragically died in France.
Highgrove interiors
© Tim GrahamThe interiors have only rarely been revealed by the royals, since it is a private residence not open to the public. Shortly before Charles moved into the property, a photo of one of the living rooms was released. It revealed a floral sofa with matching curtains, several separate armchairs, a wooden chest of drawers and floral desk lamps.
In 1982, once Prince Charles and Princess Diana had moved in, a coloured photo revealed how the couple put their personal stamp on one of the living rooms. Charles sat on a cream sofa with green and blue patterned cushions, next to a dark chestnut wood side table with framed photos on top.
HELLO!'s Homes Editor Rachel Avery explained: "With royal homes, the interiors get tweaked over the years but the essence of it remains the same with beloved antique furniture and traditional decor. Highgrove House is a private home and the glimpses inside we’ve had over the years show it is more relaxed than other residences such as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. It’s charming and homely which is perhaps why the King loves it so much."
© Tim GrahamMeanwhile, several pictures show Charles and Diana playing with their sons in the gardens, including on a children's climbing frame and slide.
Garden passion
Guests can visit the stunning gardens, Charles' passion project he spent years investing in, over the summer months. The website explains: "When His Majesty first arrived, Highgrove possessed little more than a neglected kitchen garden, an overgrown copse, some pastureland and a few hollow oaks.
© Getty"Today, after the hard work of many people, an interlinked series of gardens now unfolds in a succession of personal and inspiring tableaux, each reflecting HM The King's interests and enthusiasms. Highgrove now welcomes up to 40,000 visitors a year.
"Above all, Highgrove is the family home of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla."
