ITN News Channel: Pre-wedding Interviews

After the release of the official announcement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer engagement by Buckingham Palace on 24 February 1981 at 11:00 am, ITN News broadcasted the first interview of the royal couple at 05:45 pm.

Lady Diana's first press interview with ITN News Channel

Can you remember when you first met?

Yes, yes. I think I am. It was in 1977 when Charles came to stay as a friend of my sister; Sarah... For shoot, where I met him at Clarified.

What did you think then? What was your instant impression?

He was pretty amazing!

Did you find it a very hard decision Lady Diana?

I have long time think about it, because I know the pressure was on both of us, and it wasn't a difficult decision at the end. This is what I wanted, what I want.

Just one day before the royal wedding, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer appeared on ITN News Channel once again for a brief interview that took place at the Summer House of Buckingham Palace.

The bride-to-be's second press interview with ITN News Channel

You've obviously had a staggering amount of mail and am sure you've been able to look at some of it yourselves. Is there any thing that's particularly touched you?

Well for me all the things that come from children who've obviously spent hours of work in painting pictures, cards and things like that... Things they baked at home.

Baked? You had cakes?

Oh yes! There are so many 'Smarties' that you can hardly say what it is. It was lovely... Very nice.

You have a very special collage from the children in the kindergarten? What is it actually shown in the collage?

Yes. I collected those on Friday when I went to the entertainment party which I ended up being bashed and bruised... And there're so many children curling on top of me! But they present me with that and a glass representing Young England... It was lovely... Really nice. 

Oh well, it's the fire works space can happen in Tuesday... One am not going to cause I need to be tucked in bed early night!

That collage is obviously going to bring an awful lot of happy memories for you, isn't it? And of the days there?

Yes, it is. Cause they were wonderful... The staff especially... Putting up with the media for such a long time.

How did you actually come to be at the kindergarten in the first place?

Well, it was through friends... I wanted to teach children and they say why don't you come along... So, I started off doing afternoons and then I took over the mornings and then whole days... But I only worked 3 days a week in the kindergarten and spent the other days looking after an American baby boy who seem not to realize... He was very special to me.

Are you looking forward to making a home at Highgrove for example? Are you a good cook by the way?

 Oh yes, very much so... Looking forward to be a good wife. Ah... yes! I have done cooking course... Yes... And I think am average.

Video Files: watch rare footage of ITN News engagement and pre-wedding interviews on YouTube.