In 1977, Diana's sister Sarah started dating Prince Charles. She introduced him to Diana during a shoot at Althrop. Prince Charles, it seemed, saw only an amusing and attractive 16-year-old. Sarah's relationship with Prince Charles ended after nine months when she talked about their relationship to the press.
During this time, Diana, eager to be on her own, begged her father to let her live in London. He reluctantly agreed. In July, 1979, he presented Diana with her very own $85,000 apartment. She soon found a job that suited her perfectly. For three days a week, she worked at the Young England Kindergarten at St. Saviour's church hall. There she taught dance, drawing, and painting.
It was in the fall of 1979 that Diana received an unexpected invitation from the royal family. She was asked to attend a shooting weekend in February at Sandringham, the Queen's country retreat near Diana's childhood home. She was delighted and accepted. It was during this time that Diana and Prince Charles fell in love.
On February 6, 1981, Prince Charles asked Diana to marry him; on February 24, 1981, the official engagement was announced. Prince Charles gave Diana a $42,000 sapphire and diamond engagement ring. It would be five more months before the wedding of the century would take place.
The Royal Romance Picture Gallery
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