Princess Diana was born to the late Earl Spencer and the late Hon. Mrs. Shand-Kydd on July 1, 1961 in the county of Norfolk in England[1]. Born under the name Lady Diana Frances Spencer, Diana grew up with her elder sisters Sarah, and Jane, and younger brother Charles in a stately home in Sandringham, Norfolk[2]. In 1977 she was re-acquainted to her old neighbour from Sandringham, Charles, Prince of Wales [3]. They were married on July 29, 1981 when Diana was 20 and Prince Charles was 33. Less than a year later her first son Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was born on June 21st, 1982[4]. On September 15th, 1984 a second son Prince Henry Charles Albert David, know as “Prince Harry” was born[5]. The union was not a happy one; stalked by the press, rumours and later evidence of an affair between Charles and Mrs. Camilla Parker Bowles, as well as Diana’s personal and public struggle of depression and bulimia the couple’s divorce became official on August 28th, 1996. A year and three days later Princess Diana died in an automobile crash in Paris with her lover Dodi Al-Fayed leaving behind her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Though her personal life was full of grief she is remembered today for her charity work and her unending love and devotion to her sons. A supporter of many charities, including those who helped the homeless, children who were victims of landmines, and those who suffered from HIV/AIDS she was always ready with a comforting hug or a listening ear. Critics may say that her warmth was most evident only when television cameras could record her and was worried more about fashion than famine but her supporters say that despite her love/hate relationship with the press she drew attention to and helped eliminate a small portion of the stigma around socially taboo subjects such as AIDS and homelessness.
Sources
[1] Childhood and Teenage years,” [Internet]. 2011. The official website of the British Government. http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/The%20House%20of%20Windsor%20from%201952/DianaPrincessofWales/Childhood.aspx (Accessed March 26, 2011).
[2]Childhood and Teenage years,” [Internet]. 2011. The official website of the British Government. http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/The%20House%20of%20Windsor%20from%201952/DianaPrincessofWales/Childhood.aspx (Accessed March 26, 2011).
[3] “Childhood and Teenage years,” [Internet]. 2011. The official website of the British Government. http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/The%20House%20of%20Windsor%20from%201952/DianaPrincessofWales/Childhood.aspx (Accessed March 26, 2011).
[4] “Princess Diana,” [Internet]. 2011. Biography.com http://www.biography.com/articles/Princess-Diana-9273782. (Accessed March 26, 2011).
[5] Princess Diana,” [Internet]. 2011. Biography.com http://www.biography.com/articles/Princess-Diana-9273782. (Accessed March 26, 2011).
By Hannah Reeves
