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WEDDING BELLES

Who was Prince Charles’ best man for his wedding to Princess Diana, did he have a stag do and when did he marry wife Camilla?

PRINCE Charles is now in his second marriage to Camilla Parker-Bowles.

But who was Prince Charles' best man when he married Princess Diana?

 Newlyweds Princess Diana and Prince Charles wave to onlookers from the balcony at Buckingham Palace just after their wedding
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Newlyweds Princess Diana and Prince Charles wave to onlookers from the balcony at Buckingham Palace just after their weddingCredit: Corbis - Getty

Who was Prince Charles' best man for his wedding to Princess Diana?

Traditionally royals don’t have a best man, but rather ‘supporters’, which are essentially the equivalent of a best man.

But the younger royals are breaking with that tradition, with Prince William choosing Prince Harry as his best man for his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011, and now Prince Harry is returning the favour.

When Prince Charles married the boys’ mother, Princess Diana, in 1981, traditions were still closely observed.

Rather than having a singular best man, Prince Charles chose his two brothers, Princes Edward and Andrew, as his supporters.

 Prince Charles had 'supporters' instead of a best man
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Prince Charles had 'supporters' instead of a best manCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Did Prince Charles have a stag do?

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer made their engagement official on February 24 1981.

It is thought he couple, who had a 12-year age gap, had only been dating for around six months before the eligible prince popped the question.

Prince Charles is thought to have asked for Diana’s hand on February 3 that year, before giving the then 19-year-old Diana some time to think over her choice.

Prince Charles held a low-key stag do six days before his wedding.

He had a traditional dinner party at White’s, London's oldest men's club, where he and his father, Prince Phillip, were members.

 Prince Charles had a low-key dinner for his stag do
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Prince Charles had a low-key dinner for his stag doCredit: Getty - Contributor

It was a private affair, attended by around 20 people, including Nicholas Soames, a grandson of Sir Winston Churchill.

On the menu was hors d'oeuvres, cold meats, new potatoes, peas and beans, followed by raspberries, ice cream, and cheese souffle.

To drink, bottles of wine Bollinger 1975 were said to be flowing, rumoured to be one of the prince’s favourite tipples.

The club secretary, William West, reportedly said at the time: “It has been a superb evening. The Prince has thoroughly enjoyed himself.''

When did Prince Charles marry Camilla?

Prince Charles married long-term partner Camilla Parker-Bowles on April 9 2005.

They wed in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel.

The Queen and Prince Phillip did not attend the ceremony, but came to the service afterwards and also held a reception for the couple at Windsor Castle.

He did not have a best man, or supporters.

The first-in-line to the throne was the first royal to wed in a civil ceremony, and Camilla did not wear white, but rather an embellished blue-gold dress coat by Robinson Valentine.

 Prince Charles and Camilla wed in 2005
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Prince Charles and Camilla wed in 2005Credit: AFP - Getty

 

In contrast, Prince Charles married Diana on July 29 1981 in a lavish affair at St Paul’s Cathedral, watching by an estimated one billion people.

Prince Charles’ remarriage was intended to be a low-key affair, mainly due to the controversy divorcee Camilla caused in having an affair with then-married Prince Charles, and the public’s infatuation and anguish over Diana’s untimely death.

Camilla divorced her husband in 1995, with the interview also thought to have played a factor.

Prince William says ‘revenge is sweet’ when it comes to his best man’s speech - and he still working on his baby’s name!
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