Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s storybook wedding in 1981, a lavish ceremony watched by a billion people around the world, was followed by allegations of infidelity from both sides just three years later. Prince Charles admitted as much, saying he resumed his earlier relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, and Diana also admitted an extramarital relationship with horse riding instructor James Hewitt, hired on to tutor the couple’s children Harry and William.

On this day, December 9, in 1992, the royal couple announced they were ending their relationship. They said they “did not intend to divorce and would continue to carry on their royal and constitutional duties separately as the future king and queen of England.”

Royal Separations do not make as popular newspieces as Royal Weddings – if they are supposed to happen at all. But they do happen, and the individuals do not live happily ever after. Diana said she would be withdrawing from public life shortly after. In 1996, the two divorced. In 2005, in a much less grand ceremony, Prince Charles married Camilla.