Home / Latest News / King Charles

Revealed: Princess Diana Didn't Dance With Husband Prince Charles At 1985 White House State Dinner, Photographer Says

Princess Diana didn't dance with husband Prince Charles at the White House State Dinner in 1985, photographer Pete Souza says. Get details.

diana charles dinner
Source: MEGA

Princess Diana and her husband, Prince Charles, visited the White House in 1985, where she was famously photographed dancing with John Travolta

The late princess danced with other celebrities, including Neil Diamond and then-president Ronald Reagan, who hosted the dinner with his wife, Nancy Reagan. However, she didn't get on the dance floor with her own husband, photographer Pete Souza, who photographed the evening, recalled. 

QUEEN MÁXIMA WEARS STYLISH BEIGE SUIT AS SHE VISITS A CLEANING COMPANY IN THE NETHERLANDS — PHOTOS

"The occasion was a black-tie dinner at the White House on November 9, 1985 in honor of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It is often referred to as a 'state dinner' but since Prince Charles was not a head of state, it was not in fact a state dinner (though it certainly had all the trappings of one)," Souza wrote on April 22.

"A few little known facts from that night: Diana also danced that night with President Reagan, Tom Selleck, Clint Eastwood and Neil Diamond. She did not dance with Prince Charles," he said about Diana and Charles, who later divorced in 1996. 

"The one rock-solid remembrance I have is that Diana was visibly blushing when she danced with Neil. In the photograph, you can see that her cheeks are a bit red but in the moment it was even more obvious," he wrote about her encounter with the singer.

Travolta recently reminisced about his night with Diana, who died in 1997 in a car accident. 

"I didn't expect to be asked to dance with her," he shared. "I had the great privilege and honor to do so."

PRINCESS EUGENIE, HUSBAND JACK BROOKSBANK & MORE SPOTTED LEAVING WINDSOR CASTLE 1 DAY AFTER PRINCE PHILIP'S FUNERAL — PHOTOS

mega_

"I thought, 'There must be a reason to do this and I better give it my all,'" he explained of why they danced together in the first place. "This meant guiding the dance well and seeking to have fun."

"But introducing myself to Diana in the proper way, conveying assurance, and asking her to be my dance partner was a complicated mission."

The Grease alum even detailed what was going through his head during that special night

"It's midnight. The whole stage is like a dream. I go up to her, touch her on the shoulder, ask her to dance," he spilled. "She turns around and when she sees me she displays that captivating smile, somewhat sad, and accepts my invitation. And there we were, dancing together like in a fairy tale."

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

While Andrew has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, his encounter with an alleged stalker has left everyone scared.
By Medha Sengupta · AUG 7, 2026
Kate Middleton's latest Wimbledon outfit wasn't all-new—and that's exactly what caught fashion fans' attention!
By Mehak Walia · JUL 13, 2026
Getting invited to the Swift-Kelce wedding became a race, a status symbol, as numerous high-profile individuals lobbied to get an inside pass.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 6, 2026
Prince William joked about Travis Kelce’s most memorable moment being outside his football career.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 3, 2026
Princess Anne stepped out in this iconic dress from 1984 and royal fans are impressed!
By Hrishita Das · JUN 27, 2026
Kate Middleton and Melinda Gates reportedly came together at Windsor Castle over a shared passion for a cause they both support.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 25, 2026
Prince William and Robert Irwin's appearance at a climate event was meant to inspire change, but fans quickly focused on something else.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 24, 2026
Royal watchers may have spotted a subtle shift in the monarchy during Trooping the Colour 2026, and it's closely aligned with Prince William's long-term plans for the institution.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 13, 2026
As King Charles celebrates Trooping the Colour, actress Helen Mirren has been awarded one of Britain's rarest honors.
By Hrishita Das · JUN 13, 2026
Meghan Markle treats fans to a new family photo carousel featuring Prince Harry, Prince Lilibet, and a sweet nod to pop icon Beyoncé.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 10, 2026