Can you imagine dating your sibling’s ex-boyfriend? We’d worry things would get a bit awkward around the Christmas tree. But if there’s anything we’ve learned from The Crown it’s that the royal family don’t let a bit of awkwardness get in the way of anything. In the new, fourth season, we see Charles settle down with young Diana Spencer. But the show reveals something you might not have known before: he dated Princess Diana's older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, first.
That’s right: Charles initially enjoyed a romance with Sarah, having met in the late 1970s. It looked like it was getting serious, to the extent that the newspapers got wind of the courtship and approached her for comment. Sarah was more frank than you might expect, and she agreed to speak to The Mirror’s James Whittaker
‘Sarah was disarmingly frank about her boyfriend and declared she would not marry Charles "if he were the dustman or the King of England"’, recalled James.
‘That was good news from where I was sitting and Sarah seemed delighted I was so keen to share it with the nation.’
READ MORE: Why It's Important Princess Diana's Bulimia Is Shown Properly, And Sensitively, On The Crown
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Charles was not pleased to hear that Sarah Spencer has spoken to the newspapers. Reports state that he told her ‘you have just done something incredibly stupid.’ But it worked out ok: he started dating Diana – with Sarah claiming to have played Cupid. She, of course, married Neil McCorquodale – Charles congratulates her in The Crown. The pair have been together ever since.
Forty years together? Sarah must be thrilled things didn’t work out with Charles.
SEE: The Crown Series 4 In Pictures - Grazia
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Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) attends the Trooping the Colour in 1979.
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Margaret Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson, answers questions from the press as she moves into 10 Downing Street.
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We can't say for sure, but based on her dress, this looks like Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987.
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Emma Corrin looks very convincing as young Princess Diana in London.
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Our very first full glimpse at The Crown's recreation of Princess Diana's gorgeous wedding dress! It's so beautiful.
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Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) looks on as Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) is presented with – what we think – looks like a jewellery box.
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Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) and her husband, Denis, wave outside Downing Street.
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Princess Anne (Erin Doherty) descends the stairs in Buckingham Palace.
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Princess Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter) carries a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
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Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) and The Queen (Olivia Colman) attend what looks to be The Royal Variety.
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Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) is hounded by the press in London.
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Camilla Shand (Emerald Fennell) looks to be admiring the engagement ring of Princess Diana (Emma Corrin). We all know how this ends up...
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Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) waves to the crowds at Cannes.
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Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) with her son Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor).
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Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother with a young Princess Anne (Erin Doherty) in the background.
The Crown Season 4 is available on Netflix