Moment Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage was 'over' during final royal tour
Charles and Diana announced their separation in late 1992 and divorced in 1996
The moment Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage was seemingly over came into sharp focus during their final royal tour, according to a royal photographer.
Arthur Edwards, who has spent decades documenting the royal family, previously opened up about the tour.
In a past interview with the Express, Edwards recalled witnessing firsthand the moment he knew the royal marriage was finished, during their final official tour together in South Korea, 1992.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana marriage was’ over’ during final royal tour, photographer claimed
“It was only when we went to Korea, the last tour, when you knew it was all over then because they couldn’t bear to be in each other’s company. It was so miserable,” Arthur revealed.
“The tour was called The Glums’ Tour, and that was so miserable. And a month later, the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons. I suppose no one was then surprised. We watched them in Korea.”
The South Korea tour produced some of the most painfully iconic images of Charles and Diana – cold, distant, and emotionally shut off. One photo, in particular, captured the couple standing together but gazing in opposite directions.
The tour was called The Glums’ Tour, and that was so miserable.
Royal photographer Kent Gavin later said: “The picture that summed up everything about the breakup was the trip to South Korea. They were called The Glums. They were not happy. Even when they were standing together, they were looking at each other like that. She was bored, he was bored. We ran the picture of the two of them looking in opposite directions. The whole trip was simply not right.”
While the South Korea tour sealed the marriage’s fate, another powerful symbol came earlier that year during their February 1992 visit to India.
Charles famously left Diana to tour the Taj Mahal alone, choosing instead to attend a business meeting in Bangalore.
The resulting image of Diana seated alone on a bench in front of the historic mausoleum became a defining photograph of her loneliness and the couple’s fractured bond.
Charles and Diana’s divorce
Tensions further escalated later that month during a Valentine’s Day polo match, when photographers hoped to capture at least a fleeting moment of affection.
Kent asked press secretary Dickie Arbiter whether there was any chance Charles might kiss Diana.
“We’re not going to get anything like that,” Dickie reportedly laughed.
He was right. The coldness between them was impossible to hide, even from the cameras.
Just weeks after their return from South Korea, on December 9, 1992, Prime Minister John Major announced in Parliament that Charles and Diana had officially separated.
How long after Diana’s death did Charles marry Camilla?
Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, just over a year after her divorce from Prince Charles was finalised in August 1996.
Charles would go on to marry Camilla Parker Bowles eight years later, on April 9, 2005.
The civil ceremony was held at Windsor Guildhall and was followed by a blessing at St George’s Chapel.
At the time, the marriage sparked heated public debate. However, Camilla has since become a steady and prominent figure as Queen Consort.
Read more: ‘Reason’ King Charles has used a walking stick for recent royal appearances
What do you think of King Charles’ public appearances lately? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page.
