Today in Fashion History: February 24, 1981: Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer announce engagement Courtesy of Information Britain The press had been in a fever for weeks, months even. Was the 32-year-old Prince Charles finally to marry? The very young and beautiful Lady Diana Spencer, still not 20, was the centre of all the speculation. The couple had, it seems, been an item for six months, though they had known one another long before that, as Diana’s family moved in royal circles in the 20th century as it had since the 16th. The couple had, it turned out, become engaged on February 6 1981, when the Prince of Wales popped the question the day before Diana was to fly to Australia, taking her to one side during a private dinner. He had offered her the chance of that break to consider, but she accepted at once. This being a royal match, however, there were other political and legal hurdles to be crossed before the announcement could be made. At 11am on Februa...
