Did Princess Diana’s sister Sarah Spencer date King Charles first?

Was Princess Diana's sister Sarah Spencer, also known as Lady Sarah McCorquodale, dating King Charles before he married his first wife?

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales enjoys a skiing holiday with his girlfriend and sister of Lady Diana Spencer, Lady Sarah Spencer (later Lady Sarah McCorquodale) in February, 1978 in Klosters, Switzerland.
(Image credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

We're all well acquainted with King Charles and Princess Diana's former relationship but did Diana's sister Sarah Spencer actually date Charles first?

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, wearing jodhpurs and riding boots, smiles as he stands next to his girlfriend and sister of Lady Diana Spencer, Lady Sarah Spencer (later Lady Sarah McCorquodale) at Guards Polo Club in June 1977 in Windsor, United Kingdom.

(Image credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

Lovers of the hit Netflix show, The Crown, may wonder how much of The Crown is true - especially as some storylines are far too jaw-dropping to believe. One question on everyone's lips was did Princess Diana's sister Sarah Spencer, now known as Lady Sarah McCorquodale, have a relationship with King Charles first?

Incredibly, Diana's eldest sister lady Sarah, born Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer in 1955, did in fact date Charles before Diana. Princess Diana's sister Sarah and King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, had a brief relationship back in 1977 when the pair were in their twenties.

How did Sarah Spencer and Prince Charles' relationship end?

Prince Charles Sitting Next To Lady Sarah Spencer (diana Sister) At A Polo Match (exact Date Not Certain)

(Image credit: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images)

Per Tatler, their brief fling is believed to have ended after Sarah allegedly shared her royal romance with two reporters. During the conversation, she admitted to having an eating disorder, "thousands of boyfriends," and said that she wouldn't marry the Prince of Wales, "if he were the dustman or the King of England."

And that was that. So how did Charles and Diana end up meeting?

Well, it was Lady Sarah that introduced Charles to her younger sister at Althorp House, which was the Spencers’ ancestral home - and the grounds of which the late Princess Diana is now buried.

At the time of the initial meeting, Charles was there for a pheasant hunt and Sarah admitted afterward in an interview with the Guardian, “I introduced them; I’m Cupid.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their families at Buckingham Palace after their marriage at Westminster Abbey.

(Image credit: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty Images)

Aside from brother Charles, the Spencer sisters have another sister Cynthia Jane. They all grew up in close proximity to the royal family, with their home situated on the Sandringham Estate.

Their infant brother, John, died shortly after his birth one year before Diana was born.

Who is Princess Diana's sister Sarah Spencer now married to?

Prince William, HRH Prince Charles, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the RT Hon Jack McConnell first minister of Scotland, Countess Spencer, Earl Spencer and Prince Harry at the opening of a fountain built in memory of Diana Princess of Wales on July 6, 2004 in Hyde Park, London. Gustafson Porter was chosen as the design team for the GBP3 million oval-shaped fountain, which is the size of a football pitch, with one side a gentle slope and the other a cascading stream, flowing together into a tranquil pool.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sarah married Neil Edmund McCorquodale in 1980 and became Lady Sarah McCorquodale and they have three children George, Celia and Emily.

After her Diana's death, Sarah became the president of Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund before it closed in 2012.

She has remained close to the royal family and often spends time with nephews, Diana's sons, Prince Harry and William, Prince of Wales.

Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 15 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.