Diana Frances Spencer was born on 1 July 1961 in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, as the youngest daughter of Edward John Spencer and Frances Spencer. She was baptized at St. Mary Magdalene Church by Percy Herbert. Diana was born into one of the most influential aristocratic families in Britain. The Spencer family had been closely connected to the ruling class for centuries and were known for their loyalty to the monarchy, as well as for their priceless art collections and grand libraries. Since the 18th century, the Spencer dynasty had also played an active role in British political life. Diana had four siblings: Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia Spencer, Cynthia Jane Spencer, John Spencer, and Charles Edward Maurice Spencer.

Following her parents’ divorce, Frances Spencer moved with Diana and one of her siblings to an apartment in Knightsbridge, London. Later, when the children visited their father for Christmas, Edward John Spencer decided not to return them to their mother. Although Frances Spencer filed a legal case, she was unable to regain custody due to her former husband’s influence.

In 1975, after the death of her grandfather Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer, Diana’s father became the 8th Earl Spencer. With this title change, Diana gained the courtesy title “Lady” and became known as Lady Diana Spencer. In 1976, when her father married Raine, Countess of Dartmouth, the only daughter of romantic novelist Barbara Cartland, Diana began living a fragmented life between her mother’s home in Glasgow, Scotland, and her father’s residence in England.

Diana attended West Heath Girls’ School and later enrolled at Institut Alpin Videmanette in Rougemont, Switzerland. At the age of 16, she first met the man who would later become her husband, initially as the romantic interest of her sister Lady Sarah Spencer. Diana loved swimming but did not excel academically. Eager to return to London, she eventually convinced her family to allow her to live in an apartment with three friends. Although she disliked cooking, she attended cooking classes and studied dance at Madame Vacani’s Dance Academy in Kensington. She later found employment at the Young England Kindergarten Nursing School.

At the time, the romantic life of Prince Charles was one of the most closely followed subjects in the British press. The royal family wished for the prince to marry, preferably to a Protestant woman who was a member of the Church of England and came from a noble family. Lady Diana fulfilled all these expectations, and both the Spencer family and the royal household supported the union. The marriage was seen as a source of hope for the future of the British monarchy and for a nation facing an identity crisis on the eve of a new millennium.

On 29 July 1981, the wedding of Diana Frances Spencer and Prince Charles took place at St Paul’s Cathedral and was broadcast live around the world. Nearly one billion people watched the ceremony. Diana, only 20 years old, appeared shy and reserved. With the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury, she became Princess of Wales and was expected to one day become Queen of the United Kingdom. Her father spoke to the BBC on that day, expressing his confidence in his daughter’s devotion to the monarchy.

The marriage soon proved deeply disappointing for many, including Diana’s grandmother Lady Fermoy, who had been among the matchmakers. Charles was unable to meet Diana’s emotional needs, while Diana struggled under the strict and unforgiving rules of royal life. The 12-year age difference between the couple further complicated the relationship. Diana, vibrant and emotionally open, was the opposite of Charles, whose life revolved around nature, hunting, horses, polo, art, and philosophy. Both spouses confided to close friends that the marriage had effectively ended. Charles was linked to Camilla Parker Bowles, while Diana was associated with James Hewitt, as well as James Gilbey and Barry Mannakee. In the BBC program Panorama, Diana publicly acknowledged her relationship with Hewitt.

The couple had two children: Prince William (born 21 June 1982) and Prince Henry (Henry Mountbatten-Windsor) (born 15 September 1984). With constant rumors and scandals shaking the royal household, the marriage became unsustainable. Diana and Charles separated on 9 December 1992 and were officially divorced on 28 August 1996. Their separation attracted as much public attention as their wedding.

Diana’s relationship with Dodi Al-Fayed marked a turning point in her life. The couple lived their romance openly. On 31 August 1997, while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris, they were involved in a fatal car accident. Diana’s death shocked the world. She was laid to rest after a grand funeral ceremony on 6 September 1997.

Until the end of her life, Diana Frances Spencer devoted herself to humanitarian causes, working tirelessly for children, the homeless, and AIDS patients. She participated voluntarily in numerous charitable initiatives and maintained a close friendship with Mother Teresa. Musician Elton John dedicated the song Candle in the Wind to her memory, further cementing her legacy as a global icon of compassion.

Source: Biyografiler.com