August 31, 2022
The late British Princess Diana was described as “the most photographed woman in the world”.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of her death, we take a look at her life as captured by the cameras, and show some of her most famous photos.
picture released, Getty Images
Diana Frances Spencer was born on 1 July 1961 in Park House near Sandrigham, Norfolk.
She was the youngest daughter of Viscount (noble) Ullthorpe at the time. After her parents divorced in 1969, she moved between their homes in Northamptonshire and Scotland.
picture released, Getty Images
Lady Diana initially attended Riddlesworth Hall Primary School in Dess, Norfolk, then in 1974 she attended West Heath Boarding School near Seven Oaks, Kent.
She left West Heath in 1977, and went on to complete her studies at the Istitut Alpin Videmanette in Switzerland, which she left in the spring of 1978.
picture released, Getty Images
After dropping out, she worked in London, first as a nanny, sometimes as a cook, and then as a babysitter at Young England Nursery in Knightsbridge.
Rumors started circulating regarding her friendship with the Prince of Wales turning into something more serious.
It was then that the press and television stations started stalking her everywhere, and her days at the nursery were numbered.
picture released, Getty Images
On February 24, 1981, Prince Charles and Lady Diana officially announced their engagement from Buckingham Palace. The cost of an engagement ring consisting of a sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds was approximately £30,000 (regarding 36,000 at today’s prices).
The ring has become very popular and is now worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William.
picture released, Getty Images
Lady Diana married Prince Charles at St Paul’s on 29 July 1981 in a ceremony broadcast on television and watched by millions around the world, in what was described as the “marriage of the century”.
Diana was 20 years old, and she only seemed confused once during the party, when she found it difficult to remember her husband’s full name in the correct order.
The train of the wedding dress was 25 feet (10 meters) long, and was made of taffeta and ivory lace.
About 600,000 people lined the road between Buckingham Palace and the cathedral to watch the newlyweds. The newlyweds waved their hands to the crowds from the palace balcony (pictured above), where they stood alongside the young bridesmaids and Queen Elizabeth II.
picture released, Getty Images
Diana has always wished to have a big family. Within a year of her marriage, on June 21, 1982, she gave birth to her first child, Prince William, who became number two in the line of succession to the throne following his father, Prince Charles.
She believed in the necessity of bringing up her children as naturally as the royal circumstances would allow. And William became the first male heir to the throne to go to foster care.
picture released, Getty Images
On September 5, 1984, William had a younger brother named Henry, but known as Prince Harry.
picture released, Getty Images
The boys were not taught by private tutors, but went to school like other children. Diana was a loving mother to her two sons.
Prince Harry once mentioned that Princess Diana was “one of the naughtiest mothers”, before adding that “she definitely showered us with love”.
picture released, Getty Images
On her first official visit to the United States, the princess danced with famous actor John Travolta at the White House.
Diana’s popularity began to increase, and the princess became an icon of elegance and fashion, and there was great interest in her fashion.
picture released, Getty Images
She made more official visits, and her contribution to charitable works made her dear to people’s hearts, and the princess topped the headlines of the media in various parts of the world.
The princess played an important role in highlighting the suffering of AIDS patients. Her sincere speeches dealt with the injustice and prejudice they are subjected to.
Simple gestures such as shaking hands with AIDS patients were intended to demonstrate to people that touching an AIDS patient is not at all dangerous.
picture released, Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales had many royal duties together, and had gone abroad on official tours. But by the end of the 1980s, it was clear that they were living their lives separately.
During her visit to India in 1992, Diana sat alone in front of the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum that symbolizes love.
The photo was taken as a public announcement that the couple were effectively separated even though they were still officially married.
picture released, Getty Images
Diana had a strong friendship with Mother Teresa, the famous Catholic nun who was canonized posthumously.
Mother Teresa was also famous for her charitable work, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize following dedicating her life to helping others.
Only six days separated the death of Diana and the death of Mother Teresa.
picture released, Getty Images
After years of separation, Diana and Charles’ divorce became final on August 28, 1996.
In June of the following year, the princess sold 79 of her cover-up dresses around the world at auction.
The auction managed to raise $4.5 million that the princess donated to charitable organizations, and the move was seen as a symbol of her turning the page on the past.
picture released, Getty Images
The princess made headlines in the international media in January 1997 when she called for a ban on antipersonnel mines.
Kan Lou Magrath, co-founder of the Mines Advisory Group ) MAG) Anti-Mine works closely with Diana.
McGrath later stated that Diana’s support marked a “turning point” in global efforts to ban landmines.
picture released, Getty Images
On August 31, 1997, following having dinner in the restaurant of the Ritz Hotel in the French capital, Paris with Dodi Al-Fayed, son of the wealthy businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed, the two left the restaurant and took a taxi (limousine).
They were followed by photographers on motorbikes, trying to take pictures of the princess and her new boyfriend.
The chase leads to tragedy in a tunnel, where the princess and her boyfriend die following their cars crash.
picture released, Getty Images
More than a million people lined the path for Princess Diana’s funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, accompanying her on her final journey to the Spencer family’s home in Northamptonshire.
Walking behind the casket (pictured above, left to right) were Prince Charles, her then 12-year-old son Harry, her brother, Earl Spencer, her eldest son William and her former father-in-law, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip.
A quarter of a century following her death, Lady Diana is still fondly remembered by many around the world.