Princess Diana was the first wife of Charles, The Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne.
Married to royalty
Diana Frances Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1991, he was 32 and she was 19 years of age. They were married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, on July 29, 1981. The fairytale wedding was broadcast globally, with approximately 750 million viewers. Together they bore two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who are second and third in line to the thrones of the UK and other Commonwealth Countries.
A very public divorce
In a television interview, Prince Charles admitted to an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles, and later she admitted to having one also with James Hewitt, her horse riding instructor. They announced their separation on December 9, 1992, and the divorce was finalized on August 28, 1996. She received a lump sum settlement of £17,000,000, and was not permitted to discuss the terms of the divorce. Princess Diana was no longer titled Her Royal Highness, but Diana, Princess of Wales.
The death of the people's princess
Princess Diana died in an auto accident in Paris, France while being pursued by overzealous paparazzi on August 31, 1997. Her boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed and the driver Henri Paul also perished in the crash, and her bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor. An inquest was held, and in April 2008, a jury found that Princess Diana's death was caused gross negligent driving of chauffeur Henri Paul and paparazzi photographers.
Her legacy lives on
Ten years after her death, Diana is still one of the most famous women in the world. Beloved by most people as a role model on the verge of sainthood, she is also purported by others to have suffered from a personality disorder. She is remembered for her sense of style, charisma, and humor, but mostly for her extensive devotion to her charities until her untimely death.
Fast Facts:
Quotes:
- "Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be."
- "I want to walk into a room, be it a hospital for the dying or a hospital for the sick children, and feel that I am needed. I want to do, not just to be."
- "Well there were three of us in the marriage so it was a bit crowded."
- "They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?"
Featured Video
Princess Diana Timeline
Jul 29, 1981: Wed Charles, The Prince of Wales at St Paul's Cathedral in London
Jun 21, 1982: Gave birth to Prince William Arthur Philip Louis
Sep 15, 1984: Gave birth to Prince Henry (Harry) Charles Albert David
Jul 25, 1989: Diana opens Landmark Aids Center
Jun 16, 1992: Controversial book published (Diana: Her True Story In Her Own Words)
Dec 9, 1992: The Prince and Princess of Wales agree to separate
Dec 3, 1993: Diana withdraws from public life
Nov 1995: Princess Diana publicly speaks of her personal unhappiness in television interview
Aug 28, 1996: Divorce of The Prince and Princess is final
Jan 15, 1997: Diana calls for international ban on landmines
Aug 31, 1997: Diana dies in Paris crash
This page was created by Colette L, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Andy.
If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!</em>