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Do you remember this royal visit in February 1981 when a youthful and carefree Prince of Wales played table football with Elaine McKellar at a drop-in coffee bar in Pear Tree Road, Derby?

Just five months later, on July 29, 1981, he and Diana tied the knot at a fairytale wedding in Westminster Abbey and their lives were never to be the same again.

The same year, Prince Charles returned to Derbyshire with his new wife to open the Pavements Shopping Centre, in Chesterfield – just days after announcing that she was pregnant. Some 20,000 lined the streets to greet the couple and the atmosphere was electric.

“Diana was very nervous, very shy and she was feeling sickly because of the baby,” said Lady Hilton, wife of Derbyshire’s Lord Lieutenant Col Sir Peter Hilton, at the time. Despite her discomfort, the Princess put on a brave face and still managed to charm the crowds.

Do you remember Prince Charles’ bachelor visit? Were you one of the youngsters he talked to? Add your memories by going to the Discussion link above.

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County:  Derbyshire

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