Before Princess Diana, King Charles was largely tied to the American royal family.
Former Prince Charles visited the United States in 1970, at the age of 21, and was newly crowned Prince of Wales. An enthusiastic President Nixon decided to act as matchmaker between the prince and his eldest daughter, Tricia Nixon.
“At the time, Charles was frequently talked about as one of the most eligible bachelors in the world,” author David Charter told Fox News Digital. “And Nixon was very passionate about the royal family. He was obsessed with the royal family. When Charles and his 19-year-old sister Princess Anne decided to do this big solo White House visit and a little tour of the United States. , he already had a plan.”
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Prince Charles with Tricia Nixon in Washington, DC, circa 1970. (Keystone-France Gamma-Rapho)
Charter has written a new book, “Royal Audience” Explore the longstanding special relationship between the United States and the British Royal Family. He explained how Nixon was keen to pair his daughter with the future king.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne visit the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall on July 16, 1970 in Washington, DC. Accompanying him are President Nixon’s daughter Tricia Nixon (second from left) and her grandson David Eisenhower (far left). Former President Eisenhower. (UPI/Bettman Archive)
“Richard Nixon was invited to lunch with Queen Elizabeth in the summer of 1969, before Charles came to America,” Charters explained. “When Nixon shook Charles’ hand, he said, ‘Both of my daughters are following you very closely.'” Prince Philip commented, “I’m sure there won’t be another one.” He was referring to Nixon’s daughter Julia, who had just gotten married. ”
“It was clear that Nixon was hinting that his daughter Tricia was interested in Charles because she was keeping a close eye on him,” Charter added.
David Charter’s new book, Royal Audiences: 70 Years, 13 Presidents – America’s Special Relationship with the Queen is now available. (GP Putnam’s Sons)
When Charles and Anne arrived in America, it was reported that Charles spent “a lot of time” with Tricia. According to LIFE magazine, the two toured Washington together, attended state dinners and attended baseball games. The paper noted that Mr. Nixon “looked happier than ever” as the two “laughed and danced” at the evening’s official event.
Prince Charles sits with President Nixon’s daughter Tricia Nixon during a baseball game at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (David Cairns/Daily Express/Hulton Archive)
“Once Charles arrived, he found himself paired with Tricia the entire time in public,” Charters laughed. “He later joked about how Nixon had been trying to get him to marry Tricia. He was paired with Tricia for a few days.Nixon wanted Tricia to be his constant companion. There are a lot of great photos of Charles and Tricia. Nixon was overjoyed. He was hoping something was going on between them.”
“She was detached,” Charter continued. “There were no boyfriends on the scene. Since Tricia was about Charles’ age, the newspapers kept wondering when he would finally meet his match. …Charles found it all amusing. But Richard Nixon was so fascinated by the Royal Family that he had hopes for it. ”
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This image taken on July 20, 1970 shows Prince Charles and President Nixon during an official visit to the United States. (AFP)
When Charles attended his first baseball game with Tricia, sparks didn’t fly. According to the Washington Post, it was 91 degrees that day, so Charles asked if he could sit in the press box in the shade rather than endure the heat in the stands. There were 8,500 people in attendance and all the cameras were on Charles and Tricia.
The newspaper noted that Charles struggled to understand the rules of the game and kept asking for an explainer. By the time the home run hit, Charles and Anne had long left the stadium.
Charles’ visit to a major league ballpark was “visibly disconcerting,” the newspaper reported.
Prince Charles had a hard time understanding the rules of baseball. (Daily Mirror/Mirror Pix)
Charles and Tricia’s love match wasn’t what it was supposed to be. Less than a year after Charles’ visit, Tricia married Edward F. Cox, a law student at Harvard University. they are still together.
Tricia Nixon married Edward F. Cox in 1971. (Getty Images)
Charles remained single for at least 10 years before marrying Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, but the couple divorced after 15 years of marriage.
But even before Charles said “I do,” his long relationship history earned him the nickname “Playboy Prince.” According to reports, he has set himself a 30-year-old deadline to find a future queen. He missed his goal by two years, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. He reportedly had relationships with at least 20 women who were named “Charlie’s Angels.”
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Prince Charles is seen here attending a polo match with Sarah Spencer. (Tim Graham Photo Library)
He previously dated Lady Sarah Spencer, Princess Diana’s sister. The two met at the Queen’s party, and the future king is said to have been charmed by her sense of humor and reddish hair. The two had been dating since 1977, and on paper, she appeared to be the perfect heir to the throne.
“She came from the Spencer family and was completely aristocrat,” True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Ballen previously told FOX News Digital. “And in many ways, they would have been a very good match. She’s probably more like Camilla than Diana. Sarah loves horses, she loves hunting. She smokes, she loves her own Speak your mind openly. All the attributes that Camilla had when Charles was gone.”
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles are pictured here after announcing their engagement. (Tim Graham Photo Library)
But things changed in 1977 when Spencer, the target of the tabloids, told reporters that she, frankly, would not marry someone she didn’t love. According to the True Royalty TV documentary Charles and the Women Who Could Be Queen, a troubled Spencer called Charles to clear the air after his bombshell. However, Charles, who did not want his girlfriend to speak to the press, said: “You did something very stupid.” In the film, Spencer plays the “cupid role” between Charles and his sister, and notes that her future ex-husband found him “dashing.”
Princess Diana and Prince Charles married in 1981 and divorced in 1996. (Getty Images)
Charles had a special checklist for his wife. She had to be of nobility, she didn’t have to be Catholic and a virgin. She also needed the Queen’s approval. Still, his life changed forever when he met future queen Camilla Shand in 1970. Her family had long ties to the royal family.
Former Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall married on April 9, 2005. (Anwar Hussein)
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Princess Diana died in 1997 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Princess Diana is survived by two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, with her ex-husband. Charles and Camilla married in 2005.
Charles ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. England’s longest-reigning monarch died in 2022 at the age of 96.
