Princess Diana s engagement interview best quality

At three o'clock, Prince Charles and Lady Diana appeared for the first time in public. And this was the first chance to see the ring of sapphires and diamonds. Now these occasions usually lack something natural. In the past they've been pretty stilted. Not today. It was all very relaxed, because for once everyone was relaxed. And the same was true of our interviewer. What about the proposal, Your Royal Highness? How did that come about? Well, I asked Diana before she went to Australia, two or three days before, because I thought it would be a good idea that, apart from anything else, if she went to Australia, she could then think about it. And if she didn't like the idea, she could say she didn't. Or if she did, she could say that. But in fact, you actually said... Yes, quite promptly. Before you went to Australia. Yes. That I would sit on it for three weeks. Must have been an agonizing three weeks. Did you speak at all? I mean, the phone lines must have been pretty busy between here and Australia. Yes, we tried. But it was quite difficult, because I think there was a certain amount of press interest there. Although they never actually found you, did they? No. But I rang up on one occasion, and I said, can I speak? And they said, no, we're not taking any calls. So I said, well, is the Prince of Wales speaking? How do I know it's the Prince of Wales came back and replied? He said, well, you don't, but I am, in a little rage. And eventually, I got the number, because he was staying somewhere else. But they said, oh, the phones are tapped or something, which I found highly unlikely. Do you find it a daunting experience that yesterday you were a nanny looking after children. Now you're about to marry the Prince of Wales, and one day you would in all likelihood be queen. It's a tremendous change for someone, if I may say, of 19 to make all of a sudden, the transition. It is, but I've had a small run up to it all in the last six months. And next to Prince Charles and I can't go wrong. He's there with me. Are you planning, you must be planning for the future, where you're going to live and sort of thing? Oh, yes, yes, yes. I mean, I've got this house in Gloucestershire, which I acquired last year. With marriage in mind? No, no, not really. I mean, I did want somewhere very much as a base, and I wanted somewhere which was nearer to the Duchy of Cornwall areas that I could reach then and visit people and look at the farms and things. And so that was very convenient. But obviously, it's been a great help. There's a lot to be done. It's going to be marvellous to have somebody to help sort it out. Lady Diana's father described her this morning as, he said he thought she'd make a very good housewife. We've yet to see. Can you take us back to when you first met? If you can remember, can you remember when you first met? Yes, yes, yes, I think I am. It was 1977. The chance came to stay as a friend of my sister's house for a shoot. I sort of met in a ploughed field. And what did you, what did you think then? What was your instant impression about her? What did you think about Lady Diana? I remember thinking what a very jolly and amusing and attractive 16-year-old she was. And having great fun and bouncy and full of life and everything. And I don't know what you thought of me. Pretty amazing. Did it cross either of your minds that in three years' time you would be announcing your engagement, thinking you'd be married? No. No, not at all. At what point did you decide that this was the right, the right lady for you? Well, gradually. And I suppose towards the end of the summer and the autumn of last year. And I began to realise, you know, what was going on in my mind and hers in particular. And all these things help. But, you know, it was a gradual business. Did you find it a very hard decision, Lady Diana? I had a long time to think about it because I knew the pressure was on, both of us. And it wasn't a difficult decision in the end. It's what I wanted. It's what I want. You haven't seen the ring. May we have a look at it? Yes. Wonderful sapphire and diamond. When were you given that? Just last night? No, Sunday. But not wearing it yesterday? No, no. Pretty hidden. And when did you tell the Queen that this was what you wanted to do? Well, about three weeks ago. So as I say, we've had to sit on it. And hide it for three weeks, which hasn't been all that easy. But I was absolutely determined that it was going to be as near a secret as possible on the actual day. That was my ambition. But you're both obviously excited. But it must be awfully difficult trying to keep that secret. Yes. Very good for us. And very good for good practice. And good for the people we told, too. It's quite interesting to see who can keep secrets. But it did pop up in the Times this morning. Yes. Someone talked to the right newspaper. That's what they call the top people's newspaper. No announcement yet of where and when? Do you mean the actual wedding? No, because there was a lot to be decided. But when is probably in the latter half of July, I should think. It's, I think, quite a useful time for all sorts of different reasons. And the actual place will be decided. Honeymoon plans, or is that something you have to talk about now it's official? Well, I mean, we've had vague discussions about it. But it's a lot depends on, you know, what happens now. There are lots of different alternatives. And the difficulty is to go somewhere where I can actually get away from everything else. The rest of the family have had that experience in the past. But that'll come. Because now having agonized, if you like, puzzled over it and decided you're now going to be separated again because you're going to Australia, New Zealand. And you'll be away, what, five, six weeks? What are you going to do in the meantime? Oh, don't worry, Ash, we're very busy. Not back to the nursery and not back to flat sharing, presumably. Nope. You've moved to your accommodation. I've been moving all over the place, I just think. Trying to keep away from us. Possibly, yes. But you sort of made a little grimace there as if you rather like flat sharing. And that is something that you're giving up. No, I was referring to the children. You'll miss them. You'll miss looking after the children? Yes. Well, they'll certainly miss you, won't they? I hope so. Have you been to see them at all? No, I haven't been to see them. I think that'll be a bit of a giveaway. Well, I mean, the moment you appear anyway, then people automatically jump to conclusions. Yes. Well, now you can appear in public. It must be a great relief to you. Well, it is rather, yes. Can you find the words to sum up how you feel today, both of you? Difficult to find the right sort of words, isn't it, really? Just delighted and happy. And I'm amazed that she's been brave enough to take me on. And, I suppose, in love. Of course. Whatever in love means. Well, it obviously means two very happy people. Yes. Well, from us, congratulations. Thank you very much. You're very kind.