Diana Spencer's first meeting with Prince Charles may have been heavily fictionalized in The Crown, but her experiences as the newest member of the British Royal Family are more or less accurate. She undergoes a surprisingly warm welcome initially, especially after her interaction with the household at Balmoral, but this soon begins to change, much to her disappointment.
Sadly for Diana, life doesn't get easier for her after she has her two children, William and Harry, since her husband continues to be vehemently in love with his original paramour, Camilla Parker-Bowles. The People's Princess has her ebbs and flows, but she doesn't receive the open emotional invitation from her new family, as much as she desires it.
When She Experiences An Eating Disorder
Almost as soon as her wedding is done with, Diana begins to notice a change in her husband (well, more than she had before.) More importantly, the household seems to have grown more distant than ever, making the new princess feel extremely alone. One of her reactions to this is visceral — she develops an eating disorder.
Diana consumes food as per usual, but she habitually regurgitates it when she's in private. The psychological details surrounding this condition have not been detailed, but it's quite sad to watch, nevertheless.
When Charles Lies To Her The First Time
Diana is not entirely unaware that her husband has his mind elsewhere most of the time, but she obtains incontrovertible evidence when she finds a bracelet that Charles had made for Camilla and himself.
The striking jewelry depicts the pair's endearments for each other (F and G for Fred and Gladys, respectively.) The Prince of Wales is quick to allay his fiancee's fears, claiming that it is nothing more than a "farewell gift" for a friend. Diana may have fallen for it, but the audience certainly doesn't.
When She Locks Herself Up In Her Bedroom
The Queen decides to visit her son and daughter-in-law at their private estate but is astonished to find that only Charles greets her. She doesn't press the matter, assuming correctly that the relationship needed some kinks ironed out, but it's revealed to be more than just that.
Diana, heavily pregnant with William, barricades herself in the privacy of her room, and simply raises the TV volume when Charles insists that she come out and pay her respects. Putting this much stress on a woman in her state is nothing short of unfair.
When She Is Separated From William
In the first Australian tour made by Prince and Princess of Wales, the entourage suggests that Diana leave her firstborn baby in the care of a few guardians, implying that William would only be a hindrance to their success.
She takes direct offense at this statement, furiously denying her permission; when she is unable to calm her baby in front of the press, however, the transfer is made anyway. Diana tolerates this for quite some time, playing the dutiful wife, but she manages to put her foot down soon enough.
When Her Husband Accuses Her Of Upstaging Him
The Australian tour, intended for Prince Charles to spread his official wings for the first time, is a monumental success. The only problem is that he has been made an accessory to the incandescent beauty and compassion displayed by his wife.
Australia falls in love with Princess Diana, and rightfully so, but this doesn't sit right with the jealous royal. He blames her for overshadowing him, informing her that, as if she didn't already know, it's supposed to be his time to shine. The poor woman is left in tears once again.
When The Queen Rejects Her Hug
With enormous difficulty, Diana obtains an audience with her mother-in-law, but her pleas are coolly brushed aside. Elizabeth struggles to maintain a dignified composure while leaving but fails miserably when the princess embraces her without waiting for permission.
The hug continues for a few seconds, but the Queen's arms remain firmly attached to her side. In the end, she just walks away without a single kind word or gesture directed towards Diana.
When Her Birthday Gift Is Rudely Rejected
Prince Charles' birthday is celebrated publicly, culminating in a performance dedicated to him. Diana gets up as if to go to the powder room but secretly sneaks away backstage.
Her sudden emergence, and consequent dance to the tune of "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel, is received with incredible praise, both at the event and in the news coverage the next day. Charles, once again deprived of his moment, angrily blames her for desiring public attention, even though her intention had been the exact opposite.
When Charles' Neglect Forces Her Into Infidelity
Charles and Diana's major fight places them in front of the Queen (and her husband), where he claims that their marriage has no hope, but she informs them that she's willing to try.
Elizabeth, seeing this as a positive outcome, accepts the Princess' words. Then the Prince of Wales decides to avoid his wife at any cost, slyly hoping that she would be driven into the arms of one of her ex-lovers once again. It's not that Diana doesn't try, because she tries hard enough, but even she has an emotional limit.
When He Blames Her For Camilla's Pain
After Diana's U.S. tour turns out to be even more impressive than her Australian one, Camilla tearfully approaches her lover and mourns that she would never be as radiant as his wife, insisting that their relationship be terminated.
Charles is dumbfounded by this, but she states that the people would never stop comparing her to Diana. The Prince of Wales later chooses to lay the guilt for Camilla's agony on the Princess, knowing full well that she had nothing to do with it (at least directly.)
When Prince Philip Offers A Veiled Threat
The Christmas dinner is not a pleasant time for Diana, and her last attempt to reconcile with the household is shown to be futile. She threatens to leave Charles, but Prince Philip tells her that doing so would not be a very good idea.
The princess is stunned by this admition, and more so when he suggests that the royal family is basically a front for the Queen, that they exist as satellites only to revolve around Her Majesty. Diana does not enjoy this discovery but is forced to capitulate (for the time being.)