Diana Spencer
Diana Spencer, the future Princess of Wales, was born on 1 July 1961 at Park House, Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the fourth child of John Spencer, Viscount Althorp and his first wife Frances. Diana became Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975.
Diana was educated first at a boarding school in Berkshire, before attending her mother's alma mater, West Heath Girls' School near Sevenoaks in Kent. She then moved to Switzerland where she completed her studies at the Institut Alpin Videmanette.
Diana returned to England in 1978 and worked for several charities, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Children's Aid Society, and the Young Musicians' Trust. In 1979, she became a volunteer assistant at the age of 18 working with children with learning difficulties at centers in Cardiff and London.
In 1980, Diana met Charles, Prince of Wales, who was then dating her older sister Sarah. The couple began seeing each other regularly, and their relationship quickly became serious.
On 29 February 1980, Diana's father died of a heart attack, making her the Countess Spencer. The following month, Charles proposed to Diana and she accepted. The couple married on 30 September 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral in London. The royal family were initially reluctant to accept Diana, and she faced significant public scrutiny and criticism in the early years of her marriage. However, she slowly won over the British public with her charm and charisma, and came to be known as the "People's Princess".
Diana was a devoted mother to her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. She was also a champion of numerous charitable causes, and used her public platform to campaign against the use of landmines and to raise awareness of the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
Diana Spencer tragically died in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997. Her death sent shockwaves around the world, and she was mourned by millions of people. Diana was posthumously honored with a state funeral at Westminster Abbey, which was televised to a global audience.
More than 20 years after her death, Diana remains one of the most iconic and most famous princesses in history.
Years: 1961 - 1967
Title: Princess of Wales
