Princess Diana was an iconic
figure of the late 20th
Century. During her life she
was often said to be the most
photographed person, appearing
on the cover of People
magazine more than anyone
else. She epitomised feminine
beauty and glamour. At the
same time, she was admired for
her groundbreaking charity
work; in particular
more

Princess Diana was an iconic
figure of the late 20th
Century. During her life she
was often said to be the most
photographed person, appearing
on the cover of People
magazine more than anyone
else. She epitomised feminine
beauty and glamour. At the
same time, she was admired for
her groundbreaking charity
work; in particular her work
with AIDS patient,s and
supporting the campaign for
banning landmines. Married to
Prince Charles in 1981, she
received the title of 'Her
Royal Highness Princess Diana
of Wales' She is the Mother of
Prince William and Prince
Harry 2nd and 3rd in line to
the throne respectively.

Diana was born to an
aristocratic family who links
to the Royal Family. Her
father was Edward Spencer,
Viscount Althorp. Edward
Spencer was a direct
descendent of Charles II.. Her
mother was Frances Viscountess
Althorp. Her mother was
distantly related with the
Queen Mother, and was also of
American descent. When Diana
was young, her parents
divorced with her father
winning a bitter battle for
custody of the children. Diana
grew up in the family home of
Park House, before moving to
Althorp in 1975. Diana did not
shine as a student, but did
well in music and ballet. When
she met her future husband,
Diana was working as a part
time assistant in a nursery
school in London
In 1981, Diana married Prince
Charles. Diana was 13 years
the junior, at an age of just
20, Charles by contrast was 33
at the time of the wedding.
The general public soon warmed
to the innocence and beauty of
Princess Diana, and the
wedding was watched by over 1
billion people world wide.
During their marriage they had
two sons, Prince William and
Prince Harry. However, in the
mid 1980s, strains started to
appear in the marriage, and
under much publicity the
marriage broke up leading to a
divorce in 1992. During this
period Diana is said to have
suffered various health
problems such as bulimia and
depression.
As Princess of Wales, Diana
was expected to take part in
various official

engagements, such as, opening
of hospitals. This provided a
natural outlet for her to
become involved in various
types of charitable work. Her
natural sympathy and oneness
with patients was much
admired. In 1987, Princess
Diana was one of the first
well known celebrities to be
photographed with a victim of
AIDS This was important in
changing attitudes to the
disease. At the time, many
thought the disease could be
contacted by touch alone.
Another of her high profile
charities, was her involvement
in the campaign to ban
landmines. In January 1997,
she visited mine fields in
Angola to inspect the clearing
of landmines. After her death,
the Ottawa treaty, was signed
banning the use of
anti-personnel landmines. Many
agree that her support and
role in the campaign played an
important role in influencing
this decision.
Shortly before her death, June
18th Princess Diana met with
Mother Teresa. Both admired
each other. Mother Teresa
always said 'Diana is my
daughter.' With utmost
humility Diana said 'I am a
very, very small Mother
Teresa.
Despite the pervasive press
intrusions into her private
life, Diana remained very
popular because people could
identify with her. Her hands
on approach to charity work
gave the impression of a new
type of Royal, who was no
longer so remote.
'everyone needs to be valued.
Everyone has the potential to
give something back if only
they had the chance.'
Diana died on 31st August,
1997, in a car crash involving
Dodi Al-Fayed. It was said
they were being chased by
paparazzi at the time the
fatal accident. Although, the
inquest noted that the driver
was also under the influence
of drugs and drink.
Controversy still surrounds
her death, with a further
inquest still underway.(3) The
death of Diana had a profound
impact on the British public
and those in other countries.
It led to an unprecedented
outpouring of grief and
sympathy, for a person people
had taken into their hearts.
Over 1 million bouquets of
flowers were laid at
Buckingham Palace. Her funeral
was watched by countless
millions around the world. Her
final resting place was her
family home of Althorp. (more)
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Category People & Blogs

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