Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana
Frances Spencer; 1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997) was a member of
the British royal family. She
was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales,
the heir apparent to the British throne,
and the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. Diana's activism and glamour made her an
international icon and earned her an enduring popularity as well as an
unprecedented public scrutiny, exacerbated by her tumultuous private life. Diana
was born into the British nobility and
grew up close to the royal family on their Sandringham estate. The
youngest daughter of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer,
and Frances Shand Kydd, she
was strongly affected by their divorce in 1967. She did not distinguish herself
academically, but was talented in music, dance, and sports. In 1978, she moved
to London, where she lived with flatmates and took on various low-paying jobs. Diana
came to prominence in 1981 upon her engagement to Prince Charles, the eldest
son of Queen Elizabeth II, after
a brief courtship. Their wedding took place at St Paul's Cathedral in
1981 and made her Princess of Wales, a role
in which she was enthusiastically received by the public. The couple had two
sons, the princes William and Harry, who were then second and third in
the line of
succession to the British throne. Diana's marriage to Charles,
however, suffered due to their incompatibility and extramarital affairs. The
couple separated in 1992, soon after the breakdown of their relationship became
public knowledge. The details of their marital difficulties became increasingly
publicised, and the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. As Princess of Wales,
Diana undertook royal duties on behalf of the Queen and represented her at
functions across the Commonwealth realms. She
was celebrated in the media for her unconventional approach to charity work.
Her patronages initially centred on children and youth but she later became
known for her involvement with AIDS patients and campaign for the removal
of landmines. She also raised awareness and advocated ways to help people
affected with cancer and mental illness. As princess, Diana was initially noted
for her shyness, but her charisma and friendliness endeared her to the public
and helped her reputation survive the acrimonious collapse of her marriage.
Considered to be very photogenic, she was a leader of fashion in the 1980s and
1990s. Media attention and public mourning were extensive after her death in a car crash in
a Paris tunnel in 1997 and subsequent televised
funeral. Her legacy has had a deep impact on the royal family and
British society.