Princess Diana
Princess Diana lived a lonely life following her divorce. Pictured: Britain’s Princess Diana arrives on Oct. 4, 1990 for a charity gala at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington. Kevin Larkin/AFP/Getty Images

When Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage ended, it was a dark time for the Princess of Wales as she adjusted to her new single life with sons Prince William and Prince Harry.

In 1996, Diana requested journalist Jeremy Paxman join her for lunch at Kensington Palace where she would reflect on how being a member of the royal family was not as picturesque as it appeared to be.

Paxman told The Sun that during his visit with Diana, he couldn’t help but notice how lonely her life seemed. “What a strange place this is. So quiet, and yet over there-there is the bustle of Kensington High Street. It’s a bit like a prison,” he said, recalling their conversation.

However, the Princess of Wales’ reply only seemed to confirm Paxman’s theory about the emotional toll the palace life had taken on her.

“It’s not a prison at all, Jeremy. More like an upmarket Coronation Street. As we go out, you will see all the curtains twitching. Who would want to be a Royal?” Diana replied.

Once Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s divorce was finalized, the two began leading separate lives. The following year, Diana was in a fatal car crash in Paris and died at age 37.

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