She possessed an ethereal beauty that was captivating. Her fair hair shimmered as if it had been kissed by the stars, framing her huge eyes and straight nose. Beneath her nose were perfectly-shaped lips. This enchanting description could easily be attributed to a young Diana Spencer, but it is actually an introduction to Daniela, the protagonist of Barbara Cartland’s novel, The Marquis Wins. Diana was a devoted fan of Cartland’s romantic novels during her teenage years. In a photograph, she can be seen curled up in an armchair with Cartland’s book in hand, surrounded by a few others on the cushion. She once said, many years later, that these stories encompassed everything she had ever dreamed of and hoped for.
One might wonder if Diana’s infatuation with Cartland’s novels played a role in her ill-suited marriage to Prince Charles. Did these wildly unrealistic tales of love lead her to mistake him for the romantic ideal, a prince who could never reciprocate her love? Biographers are not impressed by her choice in reading material, dismissing it as the literary equivalent of afternoon soap operas. Tina Brown, in her book The Diana Chronicles, describes these novels as the worst preparation for Diana’s life in general and her own life in particular. Sarah Bradford, in Diana, also expresses disdain towards Cartland’s novels. However, as I delved deeper into my research for my historical novel, The Princess, which explores Diana’s journey to the altar, I began to suspect a direct link between these sentimental romances and the 1981 royal wedding. Given the seismic consequences of that event, it is arguable that these novels played a significant role in British history.
Although Cartland’s novels have largely faded into obscurity, they were immensely popular half a century ago. Over the course of her career, which spanned from her dictation at a chaise longue to her long-suffering secretary, Cartland produced more than 700 novels. In The Odious Duke, a novel Diana is pictured with, the eponymous nobleman collides with a stagecoach while out riding. He is aided by a humble yet beautiful young woman named Verena, who directs him to a blacksmith. As his horse is being reshod, romance blossoms.
Verenas, or similar characters, can be found in every Cartland novel. These sweet, shy, young heroines defy the odds and capture the hearts of aristocratic princes or their equivalents. Does this remind you of anyone? In 1979, Charles was 30 years old and still unmarried. The previous Prince of Wales had taken his time to find a bride and ultimately chose the highly unsuitable Wallis Simpson. The Windsors, fearing a similar mistake, were desperately searching for a suitable bride. But who would meet all the strict criteria? The Queen Mother discovered Diana at a wedding and her rank and striking appearance immediately made her a contender. She possessed an air of naivety that gave her a youthful charm.
How would Diana succeed where so many glamorous and sophisticated women had failed? I believe the answer lies in her naivety, a quality shaped by her love for these swoony paperbacks. Her intense reading of these novels prevented her from fully comprehending the reality of a man who was twelve years her senior. In Cartland’s novels, the men were always older, often weary libertines whom Cartland classified into categories such as “dashing dukes” and “magnificent marquises.” These characters were portrayed as noble, imperious, and sometimes terrifying when angry, until true love transformed them into resolute, principled individuals. In The Marquis Wins, Cartland describes how the Marquis of Crowle assures Daniela, the novel’s heroine, that he will fight her battles and protect her.
Diana had her own share of challenges. Her parents’ tumultuous divorce left a lasting impact on her. Her mother claimed in court that she was an unfit parent, resulting in Diana’s father gaining custody of their four children. Diana only saw her mother in London every few weeks, and the heart-wrenching scenes at the train station when they had to say goodbye deeply affected her. It is not surprising that she turned to Cartland’s novels and their fictional world, where love was cherished and rewarded, and where handsome princes and beautiful princesses lived happily ever after.
Speaking to Tina Brown, Diana’s former nanny recalls that Diana was obsessed with the idea of romance from a young age. She would often proclaim that she would only get married when she was certain she was in love, and that divorce would never be an option. With her mischievous siblings, a father she longed to impress, a disappointed mother, and her own lack of self-confidence, Diana likely spent her school holidays immersed in these novels, distancing herself from reality and embracing an alternative romantic universe that gradually shaped her outlook on life.
It is no wonder that upon meeting Prince Charles, whom her sister Sarah had previously dated, Diana fell head over heels just like any novel heroine. Although Charles may have been somewhat detached and frequently absent, this was of no concern to Diana. It was precisely this kind of difficulty and suffering that Cartland’s novels taught her were key ingredients in attaining true love. These novels provided a romantic logic that helped to explain the months that passed between their encounters. By the time they announced their engagement, Diana had only met Charles thirteen times, and even on those occasions, they had hardly been alone together. A more realistic person might have been alarmed, particularly after Charles’ infamous “whatever love means” remark during a TV interview. Diana’s practical friends expressed concerns about the influence her choice of reading material had on her perception of Charles.
Tina Brown recalls a conversation where she suggested that Diana switch to reading broadsheet newspapers if she wanted to keep up with the prince. Mary Robertson, the banker Diana worked for, also had concerns. She believed that Diana’s infatuation with Charles was based on a romanticized image of him rather than an understanding of who he truly was. After all, it is easy to see how a sheltered teenager like Diana could be captivated by phrases such as, “He wanted to worship her purity,” a line from The Marquis Wins.
Purity was of the utmost importance forty years ago when it came to potential royal brides. They were expected to be virgins. This posed a challenge for the Windsors, as changing societal attitudes and the availability of contraception had led to more liberal attitudes towards pre-marital sex. Did a suitable girl who was “without a past” even exist anymore? Diana checked all the boxes. At 19 years old, she was incredibly beautiful and eligible. She lived in a luxurious Kensington flat and socialized with the cream of Sloane Ranger society. How could she not have captured Charles’ heart? It was a question easily answered by anyone familiar with Cartland’s novels. Chastity was prized above all else in her fictional world. The heroine who resisted temptation and clung onto her purity was ultimately rewarded with true love. Diana, deeply entrenched in the themes of resistance and reward found in these novels, held onto the hope that Charles, like the heroes of Cartland’s novels, would be overcome by her purity and devotion.
Thus, the Royal Family’s unique problem was solved by a young girl with a unique perspective. Could it be that an author adorned in her trademark pink frills had played a role in this unlikely turn of events? Stranger things have happened, and the fact that Cartland’s daughter, Raine, married Diana’s father only adds to the peculiarity of the situation. Diana’s dreams had become reality…
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