The Lady Diana Spencer,
Princess of Wales
The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1st 1961 as the fourth of five children to John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, and Frances Spencer, Viscountess Althorp. Diana had four elder siblings, The Honourable Elizabeth (known by her second name, Sarah), Cynthia (known by her second name, Jane), John (died within a day of birth), and one younger sibling, The Honourable Charles Spencer (later Viscount Althorp, and currently 9th Earl Spencer).
When Diana was just 7, her parents separated and later divorced, and Diana lived with her mother, but eventually, her father, Viscount Althorp won custody of Diana. In 1975, Diana received the title of The Lady Diana Spencer, after her father became the 8th Earl Spencer.
In 1980, Diana and HRH Charles, Prince of Wales developed a relationship. The popular couple became engaged on February 6th 1981, and kept it secret for the next couple weeks after Charles proposed. The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana's relationship was one of the most criticized by the world.
Perhaps the most famous Royal Wedding of our time, Prince Charles and Lady Diana wed on July 21st 1981 at St. Paul's Cathedral. The wedding was televised all around the world, as people watched in awe. There had been much speculation about Diana's dress, and on that day, Diana wore a dress worth $9000 with a 25 foot train. By marriage, Diana gained the full title of her husband: Diana, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland), Countess of Chester, Baroness Renfrew.
After the wedding, The Prince and Princess of Wales made their home at Kensington Palace, and during this time, Her Royal Highness found it hard to deal with the pressures of being a royal and facing speculation and criticism from the media. In the public eye, the union seemed to be happy, although, by rumours, behind closed doors, it may have been another way. The marriage has been rumoured to have been doomed from the start, as Prince Charles remained un-loyal throughout the whole marriage, having mistresses. The most famous mistress, Camilla Parker-Bowles (nee Shand), had originally been with Prince Charles in the 1970's, but both went on to marry other people after royal courtiers deemed Camilla as inappropriate as a suitable match for the future King. Diana had also carried on a few affairs after her husband had been un-loyal to her.
On November 5th, 1981, less than four months after marriage, it was announced that Princess Diana was with child. On June 21st, 1982, in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London, Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales. It was the couple's first child, and was celebrated throughout the world as a joyous occasion. In the photo below, is Prince William's christening.
In 1984, a second child was born to The Prince and Princess of Wales. On September 15th, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was born, two years after his elder brother. It is said that both Prince Charles and Princess Diana wanted a daughter, but of course, this did not happen. Prince Henry of Wales is most popularly known as Prince Harry. The photo below is of Prince Harry's christening.
The marriage of Their Royal Highnesses fell apart more and more it seemed each year. By the late 1980's, public media heavily criticized the couple, and this proved to be a burden on the once upon a time happy couple. Both, however, continued on with their royal roles and had to represent The Queen throughout the world, no matter what had been happening behind closed doors.
In the 1990's, there seemed no hope of reconciliation, and the marriage fell apart. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II deemed that very year to be Her Majesty's "annus horribilus", in Latin, meaning horrible year. 1992 saw the divorce and re-marriage on Anne, Princess Royal, the younger and only sister of Prince Charles. It also saw the break up of marriage to Prince Andrew and Sarah, The Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Charles and Princess Diana also announced their separation in December 1992, and by 1993, Diana had announced her withdrawal from public life. The couple had still been required by The Queen to attend certain events and functions together on behalf of the Royal Family until their divorce.
In 1996, The Queen ordered divorce for The Prince and Princess of Wales. The marriage had been lost for so long, that this was not too much of a shock to the world. After the divorce, Diana had no longer been allowed to use her 'Royal Highness' title. Instead, she was known simply as: Diana, Princess of Wales. People had also started to refer her again as Lady Diana, her title before marriage. To this day, people and media still refer Diana as 'Princess Diana'. This is not correct however, as Diana had no self-inherited princely status before marriage, thus, shall either be known as Lady Diana, or Diana, Princess of Wales.
The now broken couple, carried on with their own lives. Diana, Princess of Wales remained at Kensington Palace, while The Prince of Wales moved to Clarence House, his current residence to this day. Diana, always a fond achiever of her many charities and patronages, still carried on dedicating her life to such. Both Prince Charles and Diana, after divorce, made their sons, still young princes, their priority.
In 1980, Diana and HRH Charles, Prince of Wales developed a relationship. The popular couple became engaged on February 6th 1981, and kept it secret for the next couple weeks after Charles proposed. The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana's relationship was one of the most criticized by the world.
Perhaps the most famous Royal Wedding of our time, Prince Charles and Lady Diana wed on July 21st 1981 at St. Paul's Cathedral. The wedding was televised all around the world, as people watched in awe. There had been much speculation about Diana's dress, and on that day, Diana wore a dress worth $9000 with a 25 foot train. By marriage, Diana gained the full title of her husband: Diana, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland), Countess of Chester, Baroness Renfrew.
After the wedding, The Prince and Princess of Wales made their home at Kensington Palace, and during this time, Her Royal Highness found it hard to deal with the pressures of being a royal and facing speculation and criticism from the media. In the public eye, the union seemed to be happy, although, by rumours, behind closed doors, it may have been another way. The marriage has been rumoured to have been doomed from the start, as Prince Charles remained un-loyal throughout the whole marriage, having mistresses. The most famous mistress, Camilla Parker-Bowles (nee Shand), had originally been with Prince Charles in the 1970's, but both went on to marry other people after royal courtiers deemed Camilla as inappropriate as a suitable match for the future King. Diana had also carried on a few affairs after her husband had been un-loyal to her.
On November 5th, 1981, less than four months after marriage, it was announced that Princess Diana was with child. On June 21st, 1982, in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in London, Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales. It was the couple's first child, and was celebrated throughout the world as a joyous occasion. In the photo below, is Prince William's christening.
In 1984, a second child was born to The Prince and Princess of Wales. On September 15th, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was born, two years after his elder brother. It is said that both Prince Charles and Princess Diana wanted a daughter, but of course, this did not happen. Prince Henry of Wales is most popularly known as Prince Harry. The photo below is of Prince Harry's christening.
The marriage of Their Royal Highnesses fell apart more and more it seemed each year. By the late 1980's, public media heavily criticized the couple, and this proved to be a burden on the once upon a time happy couple. Both, however, continued on with their royal roles and had to represent The Queen throughout the world, no matter what had been happening behind closed doors.
In the 1990's, there seemed no hope of reconciliation, and the marriage fell apart. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II deemed that very year to be Her Majesty's "annus horribilus", in Latin, meaning horrible year. 1992 saw the divorce and re-marriage on Anne, Princess Royal, the younger and only sister of Prince Charles. It also saw the break up of marriage to Prince Andrew and Sarah, The Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Charles and Princess Diana also announced their separation in December 1992, and by 1993, Diana had announced her withdrawal from public life. The couple had still been required by The Queen to attend certain events and functions together on behalf of the Royal Family until their divorce.
In 1996, The Queen ordered divorce for The Prince and Princess of Wales. The marriage had been lost for so long, that this was not too much of a shock to the world. After the divorce, Diana had no longer been allowed to use her 'Royal Highness' title. Instead, she was known simply as: Diana, Princess of Wales. People had also started to refer her again as Lady Diana, her title before marriage. To this day, people and media still refer Diana as 'Princess Diana'. This is not correct however, as Diana had no self-inherited princely status before marriage, thus, shall either be known as Lady Diana, or Diana, Princess of Wales.
The now broken couple, carried on with their own lives. Diana, Princess of Wales remained at Kensington Palace, while The Prince of Wales moved to Clarence House, his current residence to this day. Diana, always a fond achiever of her many charities and patronages, still carried on dedicating her life to such. Both Prince Charles and Diana, after divorce, made their sons, still young princes, their priority.
Lady Diana had also found other happiness in relationships, her last one being with Dodi Al Fayed. In 1997, it was a tragic year for the world. On August 31st, Diana and Dodi were both dead after a tragic car crash in Paris, France. Several sources say that the driver had been drinking, and others say it was the media hounding the car for pictures, for the next story in the magazines and newspapers. Dodi and the driver were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while Diana was in critical condition and was rushed to a hospital. Tragically, Diana, Princess of Wales, did not survive her traumatic injuries, and had passed away, at just aged 36. The whole world mourned, leaving flowers all over the gates of Buckingham Palace. The Queen, finally made a speech to be broadcasted, showing appreciation for the sympathy shown for her late ex daughter-in-law. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, along with Prince Charles and his sons, toured the gates surrounding Buckingham, admiring the bouquets that were set for Diana. Diana's funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on September 6th, 1997, a final time to mourn for the elegant Princess who captured the world's hearts.
Lady Diana's ex husband, Prince Charles, went on to have a relationship to his recently divorced mistress, Camilla Parker-Bowles. In 2005, the couple was given permission by The Queen to marry, and did so on April 9th. While Charles still maintained his Prince of Wales title, Camilla, received all the titles officially as Diana did: Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland), Countess of Chester, Baroness Renfrew, but decided, out of respect for the late Diana, to use Charles' second highest ranking title. To this day, Camilla is known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Charles and Diana's son, Prince William, married Catherine Middleton on April 29th, 2011, and by marriage became The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Recently, on July 22nd, 2013, The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to the first child of the royal couple, Prince George of Cambridge.
Today, Diana's legacy still lives on. She still is the centre of the media at times, and still can retain one of the most popular royals even after her death. She is greatly commemorated by lots of people, and is praised for her dedication to the world, remaining popular, in life and in death.
Although Lady Diana is not here today to witness the recent wonderful events of her family in person, many say, she is still here, but in spirit.
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