When it first emerged that she was in a relationship with the heir to the throne, Lady Diana Spencer had to adjust to the public spotlight, and her life would never be the same again.

"The spotlight turned on Prince Charles's latest girlfriend made her blush". This line was part of a series of reports that the Daily Mirror Newspaper wrote about the "Blushing Lady Diana" when she became known among the royal circles and the press as Charles's new girl.

A newspaper clipping from the Daily Mirror's early reports on Diana

It all started in the summer of 1980, when reporters and photographers from the Daily Mirror camped outside Lady Diana's flat to get a glimpse of the new girl, and pressured her by asking personal questions about her intimate relationship with the Prince of Wales.

Lady Diana's first brief interview and photo was published in the Daily Mirror on September 18th, 1980. It was followed by a series of reports about the "Blushing Lady" until the official announcement of the royal engagement was made 6 months later.

• Lady Diana's Response:

Asked about Prince Charles as she walked out from a London Kindergarten, where she worked, Lady Diana said: "All this fuss is disrupting my work with the children. I will not say anything about Prince Charles. No one has told me to keep quiet - It's my decision".

Lady Diana added: "I was not advised by Buckingham Palace on how to handle publicity". Mildly embarrassed by one of the photographs taken at the kindergarten, she said: "I was so nervous about the whole thing. I never thought I'd be standing with the light right behind me. I don't want to be remembered for not having a petticoat".

Amid growing speculation that she will be Prince Charles's bride, Lady Diana spoke frankly while at work. She wore a paint-spattered smock, and children played noisily around her.

"Yes, I'd like to marry soon. What woman doesn't want to marry eventually? Next year? Why not? I love children and I don't think 19 is too young. It depends on the person. I have never thought about the age gap".

Another clipping from the Daily Mirror's early reports on Diana

In Saturday, 29 November 1980, a reporter from the Daily Mirror met with Lady Diana at the kindergarten for another brief interview. He asked: "Did Prince Charles propose?" Lady Diana blushed and giggled, and said: "I can't confirm or deny it. I never talk about Charles".

Of the Sunday Mirror story claiming that Lady Diana was smuggled abroad the royal train with the Prince of Wales to visit Wiltshire sidings, she said: "I want to get the record straight. The story was completely false. I was not on the royal train when they said and have never been on it. I don't even know how it looks like".