When King Charles III and Diana Spencer tied the knot, it seemed millions were watching a real-life fairytale play out in real time — the dress, the flowers, and the adoring fans were just glimpses of two royal lives joining. But the dream-like state spectators were in was quickly shattered, as Diana and Charles' marriage was fraught with scandal, cheating allegations, and tension. By 1992, the pair had formally separated, and while divorce never seemed to be in the cards for the then-Prince and Princess of Wales, their union officially ended in 1996.
As The New York Times noted, as the pair reached a formal agreement, Diana walked away from negotiations with a considerable settlement — $22.5 million in cash and $600,000 yearly payments — and her title as Princess of Wales. One of the biggest kicks, however, came to her royal status. The outlet noted that it was Charles who demanded Diana be stripped of the Royal Highness title, a moniker that set her apart as a royal. Queen Elizabeth II was said to have supported Diana keeping the designation, but Charles was "adamant that she give it up."
Once stripped of her HRH status, Diana was expected to curtsy to other royals — including her sons. However, the royal family made it clear that Diana would always be "regarded as a member of the royal family" and "from time to time receive invitations to state and national public occasions."
