A celebration of Princess Diana's royal life and legacy
The Princess of Wales left a mark on so many.
From a young age, she always wanted to help others.
As a little girl, Diana Spencer was , who had . But what her brother remembers most about her was her giving spirit and at a very young age. As a result of her two loves, Diana went on to become a huge supporter of the English National Ballet, according to .
PHOTO: Getty
Diana was a huge animal lover.
Diana exhibited her strong work ethic while still a child and young teen. , it was Diana who took care of the family's many pets. "She had rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, a long succession of animals to care for," she explained in . "She had a great consciousness they were dependent on her. She did the dirty work."
PHOTO: Getty
Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher.
Diana's caring nature transcended into her job in her late teens. Years before marrying Charles, Diana shared an apartment with three roommates and worked in London's Pimlico district as a part-time kindergarten teacher, reports. An occupation perfect for Diana, who always .
PHOTO: Getty
Princess Diana weds Prince Charles in iconic fashion.
In what is widely regarded as , Diana tied the knot to the Prince of Wales on July 29, 1981. During the ceremony, she donned an ivory taffeta gown . The dress would go on to inspire countless copycats around the globe. Fashion aside, Diana also made history on her wedding day when . Following her example, also nixed the line on her wedding to Prince William 30 years later.
Princess Diana welcomes her first son, William.
According to , Diana's wish was to be "happily married and to have a large family." On June 21, 1982, began living that dream when she and Charles welcomed little William, the future king, into the world. Over the years, William of about his hope of carrying on his mother's legacy. "I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me," William said .
Two years later, she had Prince Harry.
Inheriting the famous Spencer red hair, Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. Harry, like his mom, became known as in . But, as Harry later revealed in the HBO documentary Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, he was just following his mother's orders. "One of her mottos to me was, you know, ‘You can be as naughty as you want, just don’t get caught,'” .
PHOTO: Princess Diana Archive
Princess Diana dances with John Travolta.
In a stunning midnight-blue Victor Edelstein gown (known now as the ), Diana famously twirled around the White House in 1985 with the actor. The dance came about when First Lady Nancy Reagan allegedly tapped John and told him that it was Diana's "wish" to dance together, according to the . So when "You Should Be Dancing" from came on, . However, some say Diana .
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana forever changes how the world viewed AIDS.
During the height of the 1980s, about ran rampant. Many believed that one could "catch" the disease from a simple handshake. But Diana forever altered the way millions viewed the disease after photos of her shaking hands without gloves with an HIV patient surfaced in 1987. Apart from helping change public perception, the act became known as another prime example of Princess Diana's endless compassion for others. That same year, Diana opened Britain's first AIDS ward in London, according to .
PHOTO: Gett
Diana makes her mark in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
On another memorable charity trip, the Princess of Wales visited abandoned HIV-positive children and kids with AIDS at a hostel in Brazil. As notes, Diana was criticized at the time for her continued work with AIDS patients. But nonetheless, Diana persisted, knowing how much the children needed her.
PHOTO: Gett
The Princess of Wales walks across a land mine field.
To advocate for the end of land mines in 1997, Diana marched through an active one in Angola. Though it was deemed a dangerous stunt (and ), the Princess, as a benefactor of the Hazardous Areas Life-Support Organization (HALO), knew it would help garner attention for the cause. "There couldn't be a more appropriate place to begin this campaign than Angola," Diana told the press. "This nation has the highest number of amputees per population than anywhere in the world." Diana also made sure to find time to talk to the victims of minefield explosions and offer them comfort while she was there.
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana meets with Mother Teresa.
In June of 1997, Diana met Mother Teresa at her Missionaries of Charity residence in the Bronx, New York. During her visit, Diana hugged, kissed, and prayed alongside the nun as she offered help to those in need in New York City, the reports. Five years prior, Diana visited Mother Teresa's home in Calcutta. Diana would go on to that the trip "touched her life" and that she had found the direction she "had been searching for all these years."
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana celebrates her last birthday in style.
Her 36th birthday was . As noted in , the royal received 90 bouquets of flowers and a "happy birthday" call from Prince Harry and his classmates. In the evening, Diana was the guest of honor at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Tate Gallery in London. There, she received even more gifts from supporters, including flowers, balloons, and cards. A day worthy of a hard-working, accomplished princess it certainly was.
PHOTO: Tim Graham
From a young age, she always wanted to help others.
As a little girl, Diana Spencer was , who had . But what her brother remembers most about her was her giving spirit and at a very young age. As a result of her two loves, Diana went on to become a huge supporter of the English National Ballet, according to .
PHOTO: Getty
Diana was a huge animal lover.
Diana exhibited her strong work ethic while still a child and young teen. , it was Diana who took care of the family's many pets. "She had rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, a long succession of animals to care for," she explained in . "She had a great consciousness they were dependent on her. She did the dirty work."
PHOTO: Getty
Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher.
Diana's caring nature transcended into her job in her late teens. Years before marrying Charles, Diana shared an apartment with three roommates and worked in London's Pimlico district as a part-time kindergarten teacher, reports. An occupation perfect for Diana, who always .
PHOTO: Getty
Princess Diana weds Prince Charles in iconic fashion.
In what is widely regarded as , Diana tied the knot to the Prince of Wales on July 29, 1981. During the ceremony, she donned an ivory taffeta gown . The dress would go on to inspire countless copycats around the globe. Fashion aside, Diana also made history on her wedding day when . Following her example, also nixed the line on her wedding to Prince William 30 years later.
Princess Diana welcomes her first son, William.
According to , Diana's wish was to be "happily married and to have a large family." On June 21, 1982, began living that dream when she and Charles welcomed little William, the future king, into the world. Over the years, William of about his hope of carrying on his mother's legacy. "I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me," William said .
Two years later, she had Prince Harry.
Inheriting the famous Spencer red hair, Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. Harry, like his mom, became known as in . But, as Harry later revealed in the HBO documentary Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, he was just following his mother's orders. "One of her mottos to me was, you know, ‘You can be as naughty as you want, just don’t get caught,'” .
PHOTO: Princess Diana Archive
Princess Diana dances with John Travolta.
In a stunning midnight-blue Victor Edelstein gown (known now as the ), Diana famously twirled around the White House in 1985 with the actor. The dance came about when First Lady Nancy Reagan allegedly tapped John and told him that it was Diana's "wish" to dance together, according to the . So when "You Should Be Dancing" from came on, . However, some say Diana .
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana forever changes how the world viewed AIDS.
During the height of the 1980s, about ran rampant. Many believed that one could "catch" the disease from a simple handshake. But Diana forever altered the way millions viewed the disease after photos of her shaking hands without gloves with an HIV patient surfaced in 1987. Apart from helping change public perception, the act became known as another prime example of Princess Diana's endless compassion for others. That same year, Diana opened Britain's first AIDS ward in London, according to .
PHOTO: Gett
Diana makes her mark in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
On another memorable charity trip, the Princess of Wales visited abandoned HIV-positive children and kids with AIDS at a hostel in Brazil. As notes, Diana was criticized at the time for her continued work with AIDS patients. But nonetheless, Diana persisted, knowing how much the children needed her.
PHOTO: Gett
The Princess of Wales walks across a land mine field.
To advocate for the end of land mines in 1997, Diana marched through an active one in Angola. Though it was deemed a dangerous stunt (and ), the Princess, as a benefactor of the Hazardous Areas Life-Support Organization (HALO), knew it would help garner attention for the cause. "There couldn't be a more appropriate place to begin this campaign than Angola," Diana told the press. "This nation has the highest number of amputees per population than anywhere in the world." Diana also made sure to find time to talk to the victims of minefield explosions and offer them comfort while she was there.
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana meets with Mother Teresa.
In June of 1997, Diana met Mother Teresa at her Missionaries of Charity residence in the Bronx, New York. During her visit, Diana hugged, kissed, and prayed alongside the nun as she offered help to those in need in New York City, the reports. Five years prior, Diana visited Mother Teresa's home in Calcutta. Diana would go on to that the trip "touched her life" and that she had found the direction she "had been searching for all these years."
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana celebrates her last birthday in style.
Her 36th birthday was . As noted in , the royal received 90 bouquets of flowers and a "happy birthday" call from Prince Harry and his classmates. In the evening, Diana was the guest of honor at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Tate Gallery in London. There, she received even more gifts from supporters, including flowers, balloons, and cards. A day worthy of a hard-working, accomplished princess it certainly was.
PHOTO: Tim Graham
From a young age, she always wanted to help others.
As a little girl, Diana Spencer was , who had . But what her brother remembers most about her was her giving spirit and at a very young age. As a result of her two loves, Diana went on to become a huge supporter of the English National Ballet, according to .
PHOTO: Getty
Diana was a huge animal lover.
Diana exhibited her strong work ethic while still a child and young teen. , it was Diana who took care of the family's many pets. "She had rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, a long succession of animals to care for," she explained in . "She had a great consciousness they were dependent on her. She did the dirty work."
PHOTO: Getty
Diana worked as a kindergarten teacher.
Diana's caring nature transcended into her job in her late teens. Years before marrying Charles, Diana shared an apartment with three roommates and worked in London's Pimlico district as a part-time kindergarten teacher, reports. An occupation perfect for Diana, who always .
PHOTO: Getty
Princess Diana weds Prince Charles in iconic fashion.
In what is widely regarded as , Diana tied the knot to the Prince of Wales on July 29, 1981. During the ceremony, she donned an ivory taffeta gown . The dress would go on to inspire countless copycats around the globe. Fashion aside, Diana also made history on her wedding day when . Following her example, also nixed the line on her wedding to Prince William 30 years later.
Princess Diana welcomes her first son, William.
According to , Diana's wish was to be "happily married and to have a large family." On June 21, 1982, began living that dream when she and Charles welcomed little William, the future king, into the world. Over the years, William of about his hope of carrying on his mother's legacy. "I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me," William said .
Two years later, she had Prince Harry.
Inheriting the famous Spencer red hair, Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984. Harry, like his mom, became known as in . But, as Harry later revealed in the HBO documentary Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, he was just following his mother's orders. "One of her mottos to me was, you know, ‘You can be as naughty as you want, just don’t get caught,'” .
PHOTO: Princess Diana Archive
Princess Diana dances with John Travolta.
In a stunning midnight-blue Victor Edelstein gown (known now as the ), Diana famously twirled around the White House in 1985 with the actor. The dance came about when First Lady Nancy Reagan allegedly tapped John and told him that it was Diana's "wish" to dance together, according to the . So when "You Should Be Dancing" from came on, . However, some say Diana .
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana forever changes how the world viewed AIDS.
During the height of the 1980s, about ran rampant. Many believed that one could "catch" the disease from a simple handshake. But Diana forever altered the way millions viewed the disease after photos of her shaking hands without gloves with an HIV patient surfaced in 1987. Apart from helping change public perception, the act became known as another prime example of Princess Diana's endless compassion for others. That same year, Diana opened Britain's first AIDS ward in London, according to .
PHOTO: Gett
Diana makes her mark in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
On another memorable charity trip, the Princess of Wales visited abandoned HIV-positive children and kids with AIDS at a hostel in Brazil. As notes, Diana was criticized at the time for her continued work with AIDS patients. But nonetheless, Diana persisted, knowing how much the children needed her.
PHOTO: Gett
The Princess of Wales walks across a land mine field.
To advocate for the end of land mines in 1997, Diana marched through an active one in Angola. Though it was deemed a dangerous stunt (and ), the Princess, as a benefactor of the Hazardous Areas Life-Support Organization (HALO), knew it would help garner attention for the cause. "There couldn't be a more appropriate place to begin this campaign than Angola," Diana told the press. "This nation has the highest number of amputees per population than anywhere in the world." Diana also made sure to find time to talk to the victims of minefield explosions and offer them comfort while she was there.
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana meets with Mother Teresa.
In June of 1997, Diana met Mother Teresa at her Missionaries of Charity residence in the Bronx, New York. During her visit, Diana hugged, kissed, and prayed alongside the nun as she offered help to those in need in New York City, the reports. Five years prior, Diana visited Mother Teresa's home in Calcutta. Diana would go on to that the trip "touched her life" and that she had found the direction she "had been searching for all these years."
PHOTO: Gett
Princess Diana celebrates her last birthday in style.
Her 36th birthday was . As noted in , the royal received 90 bouquets of flowers and a "happy birthday" call from Prince Harry and his classmates. In the evening, Diana was the guest of honor at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Tate Gallery in London. There, she received even more gifts from supporters, including flowers, balloons, and cards. A day worthy of a hard-working, accomplished princess it certainly was.
PHOTO: Tim Graham
The Princess of Wales left a mark on so many.
wasn't just — she was , and a caring humanitarian who went . Take a look back at all of the Princess of Wales's wonderful life highlights and what she accomplished while the world was lucky enough to have her.