Diana's thoughts on Australia

Princess Diana had an anxious time during her first official trip to Australia in 1983.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana described her first visit to Australia in 1983 as a "make or break" trip. (AAP)

FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA WITH PRINCE CHARLES, 1983

"It was make or break time for me," Diana told journalist Andrew Morton in a series of tape recordings for his blockbuster book Diana, Her True Story.

"It was hot, I was jet-lagged, being sick. I was too thin. The whole world was focusing on me every day. I came back from this engagement and I went to my lady-in-waiting, cried my eyes out and said: 'Anne, I've got to go home, I can't cope with this.'" - After her first engagement visiting the School of the Air in Alice Springs.

"Everybody always said when we were in the car, 'Oh, we're in the wrong side, we want to see her, we don't want to see him,' and that's all we could hear when we went down to the crowds and obviously he wasn't used to that and nor was I." - On the royal couple's surprise at the huge crowds that followed them on tour.

"He took it out on me. He was jealous; I understood the jealousy but I couldn't explain that I didn't ask for it." - On Charles' surprise at the overwhelming attention paid by Aussies to Diana.

"We didn't see very much of him (William) but at least we were under the same sky, so to speak." - On having Prince William with her in Australia.

"I was more grown up, more mature, but not anything like the process I was going to go through in the next four or five years. Basically our tour was a great success."

1988 VISIT TO MARK AUSTRALIA'S BICENTENARY

"When I meet people like you all here today, I am encouraged to believe that the future will, after all, be something to look forward to." - In a rare speech in Adelaide

"It's a bit hot, not what we're used to in England." - Diana's reaction to the oppressive heat in Adelaide.

SPEECH TO THE VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE CHARITY BALL 1996:

"It speaks volumes for the people of Australia that despite the passage of time you've still both recognised and remembered me." - On her eight-year absence from Australia.


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Source: AAP


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