Princess Diana
Born 1961 · Age 64
Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997), member of the British royal family, first wife of Charles III, mother of Princes William and Harry, noted for charity work (AIDS, landmines), style and global influence.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth of Diana Frances Spencer
Born at Park House, Sandringham; fourth of five children of John Spencer and Frances Roche.
Baptised at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham
Diana was baptised at the Sandringham parish church.
Parents separate
Her parents separated when Diana was six; custody dispute followed.
Parents' divorce finalised
Diana's parents' marriage was dissolved in 1969 following a custody battle; Diana remained in her father's custody.
Enrolled at Riddlesworth Hall School
Diana began formal schooling at preparatory Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk.
Entered West Heath Girls' School
Joined her sisters at West Heath School, where she showed talent in music and sports but struggled academically.
Styled Lady Diana Spencer (father inherits earldom)
Her father inherited the earldom and the family moved to Althorp; Diana gained the courtesy title 'Lady'.
Family moves to Althorp
The Spencer family relocated from Park House to the family seat at Althorp, Northamptonshire.
Father remarries (Raine, Countess of Dartmouth)
John Spencer married Raine McCorquodale in 1976; Diana had a difficult relationship with her stepmother.
First meeting with Prince Charles
Diana first met Charles at age 16; he was then dating her sister Sarah.
Short-term nanny work and finishing school
Worked three months as a nanny and attended finishing school Institut Alpin Videmanette for one term (left after Easter 1978).
Mother buys Coleherne Court flat (18th birthday present)
Diana received a flat in Coleherne Court, Earl's Court, London, where she lived with flatmates until 1981.
Courtship intensifies; sailing and Balmoral invitations
In summer 1980 Charles invited Diana on the royal yacht to Cowes and to Balmoral, where she met the royal family.
Prince Charles proposes
Charles proposed to Diana at Windsor Castle on 6 February 1981; she accepted.
Engagement announced publicly
The royal engagement of Charles and Lady Diana was announced on 24 February 1981; Diana chose her own engagement ring.
First public appearance with Charles
Made her first public appearance as the Prince's fiancée at a charity ball at Goldsmiths' Hall (March 1981).
Wedding to Prince Charles — became Princess of Wales
Married Charles at St Paul's Cathedral in a ceremony watched by ~750 million people on 29 July 1981; styled Princess of Wales.
Pregnancy announced
Buckingham Palace announced Diana was pregnant with the couple's first child on 5 November 1981.
Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
In 1982 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands created Diana a Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown.
Staircase fall during pregnancy (admitted as deliberate)
In January 1982 Diana fell down stairs at Sandringham while 12 weeks pregnant; later she said she had thrown herself down the stairs.
Birth of Prince William
Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born at St Mary's Hospital, London on 21 June 1982.
First overseas representative appearance (Princess Grace funeral)
Made her inaugural overseas appearance representing the Queen at Princess Grace of Monaco's funeral (Sept 1982).
Royal tour of Australia & New Zealand
Accompanied Charles and infant William on a successful 1983 tour; media attention coined 'Dianamania'.
Birth of Prince Harry
Prince Henry (Harry) Charles Albert David was born on 15 September 1984.
Became president of Barnardo's (start)
From 1984 until 1996 Diana served as president of Barnardo's, supporting vulnerable children and young people.
Danced with John Travolta at White House
Memorable dance with John Travolta during a state visit to the United States, captured widely by media.
Awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of London
Diana received the Honorary Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her public service.
Became patron of British Red Cross
Diana became a patron of the British Red Cross (1988), supporting domestic and international Red Cross activities.
President of Great Ormond Street Hospital (start)
From 1989 Diana was president of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, supporting pediatric causes.
Hugged AIDS patient at Middlesex Hospital
Diana publicly shook hands and hugged an AIDS patient without gloves, helping change public perceptions of HIV/AIDS.
Official tour of Nigeria and Cameroon
Diana and Charles toured Nigeria and Cameroon (March 1990); she visited hospitals and women's development projects.
Secret interviews recorded by James Colthurst
James Colthurst conducted secret interviews and recordings with Diana that later contributed to Andrew Morton's book.
Hired voice coach Peter Settelen; recorded tapes
Between 1992–1993 Diana worked with voice coach Peter Settelen; videotapes included candid remarks about relationships.
Andrew Morton's 'Diana: Her True Story' published
Morton's controversial book (1992) revealed many details about Diana's marital unhappiness and mental-health struggles.
‘Squidgygate’ leaked tapes published
Leaked recordings of intimate telephone conversations (the 'Squidgygate' tapes) surfaced in Aug 1992, increasing media scrutiny.
Official separation announced
Prime Minister John Major informed Parliament of the Prince and Princess of Wales' amicable separation in December 1992.
‘Camillagate’/Tampongate tapes leaked
Leaked intimate exchanges between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were published in early 1993.
Announced withdrawal from public life (partial)
Diana announced in Dec 1993 that she would reduce her public life; later in 1994 she sought a partial return.
Helped launch Child Bereavement UK
In 1994 Diana helped Julia Samuel launch Child Bereavement UK and became its patron; her son William later became royal patron.
Started relationship with Dr Hasnat Khan (approx.)
Diana began an intense, private relationship with Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan in the fall of 1995 (reported).
BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir
Diana's explosive interview (20 Nov 1995) covered marital infidelities, mental health struggles and famously said 'there were three of us.'
Queen advises divorce (public announcement)
On 20 Dec 1995 Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had sent letters to both Charles and Diana advising divorce.
Diana announces agreement to divorce terms (negotiations)
In Feb 1996 Diana publicly announced agreement to divorce terms after negotiations with Charles and palace representatives.
Visited Lahore and met Hasnat Khan's family (reported)
In May 1996 Diana visited Lahore on an invitation linked to Hasnat Khan and met his family in secret.
Decree nisi granted
The decree nisi for the dissolution of marriage was granted on 15 July 1996.
Resigned from over 100 charities (day after divorce)
Following the divorce, Diana resigned most of her patronages and retained six principal charities to focus on.
Divorce settlement: lump sum & annual allowance
Diana received a lump-sum settlement of £17 million and an annual allowance (commonly cited as ~£400,000/year; USA Today cited ~$22.5M and ~$600k/year).
Divorce finalised
The marriage was legally dissolved on 28 August 1996; Diana retained the style 'Diana, Princess of Wales' but lost 'Her Royal Highness'.
Elton John's 'Candle in the Wind' (1997 funeral version)
Elton John performed and released a revised 'Candle in the Wind' in Diana's memory; the single sold an estimated 30 million copies worldwide.
Walked through an Angolan minefield
On 15 January 1997 Diana walked through a (cleared) minefield in Angola to spotlight landmine victims and demining work.
Christie's charity preview of dresses and suits (sale planned)
In June 1997 previews were held for sales of Diana's dresses at Christie's, proceeds to charity (sale preview in London and New York).
Spoke at landmines conference and visited Washington, DC
In June 1997 Diana addressed a landmines conference at the Royal Geographical Society and visited Washington (17–18 June) for demining advocacy.
Relationship with Dodi Fayed and summer in the south of France
In summer 1997 Diana began a relationship with Dodi Fayed and spent time on his yacht and at his family's properties in the south of France.
Last official engagement in Britain
On 21 July 1997 Diana visited Northwick Park Hospital (children's A&E), noted as her last official UK engagement.
Visit to Bosnia (landmine projects)
Diana's last public engagements were in Bosnia (7–10 August 1997), visiting landmine-clearance projects and survivors.
Car crash in Paris (Pont de l'Alma tunnel)
Late 30 Aug 1997 the Mercedes carrying Diana, Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul crashed while reportedly trying to evade paparazzi.
Death announced (Diana succumbs to injuries)
Diana died of injuries sustained in the Paris car crash and was pronounced dead at hospital early on 31 August 1997.
State-like funeral at Westminster Abbey
Diana's funeral was held on 6 September 1997; millions watched worldwide and the cortege to Althorp followed the same day.
Burial at Althorp (family estate)
Diana was buried on an island in the ornamental lake at Althorp on 6 September 1997.
Operation Paget investigation published (Met Police)
Metropolitan Police's Operation Paget investigated conspiracy claims surrounding the crash; its findings were published mid-2000s.
British inquest returns unlawful killing verdict
A UK inquest jury found in 2008 that Diana's death was an unlawful killing caused by gross negligent driving by the chauffeur and pursuing photographers.
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