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Birth
Diana was born at Park House, the home that her parents rented on Queen Elizabeth II’s estate at Sandringham. As the third daughter and youngest child of Edward John Spencer, Viscount Althorp, heir to the 7th Earl Spencer, and his first wife, Frances Ruth Burke Roche (daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy), she was a member of the British nobility. -
Parents' divorce
Her parents’ troubled marriage ended in divorce when Diana was a child, and she, along with her brother and two sisters, remained with her father. -
Lady Diana Spencer
She became Lady Diana Spencer when her father succeeded to the earldom in 1975. -
Reunion
She renewed her contacts with the royal family, and her friendship with Charles grew in 1980. -
Wedding engagement
On February 24, 1981, their engagement was announced, and her beauty and shy demeanour—which earned her the nickname “Shy Di”—made her an instant sensation with the media and the public. -
Wedding
The couple married in St. Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981, in a globally televised ceremony watched by an audience numbering in the hundreds of millions. -
First child
heir first child, Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, was born on June 21, 1982 -
Second child
Their second child, Prince Henry (“Harry”) Charles Albert David, on September 15, 1984. -
The people's princess
Diana is photographed shaking hands with an HIV patient without gloves, defying the social stigma attached to the disease. Her gesture was later described by the press as "the most important thing a royal has done in 200 years". -
The confrontation
During a 40th birthday party for Camilla Parker Bowles' sister, Diana confronts Camilla about her affair with Charles, saying, "I'd like you to know that I know exactly what's going on." Charles then admits to having extramarital affairs with Camilla. -
There was no "happily ever after".
After 11 years of marriage, Charles and Diana are separating. The move comes a month after a disastrous official visit to South Korea, which forced the palace to realize it was time to end the charade. British Prime Minister John Major announces that the royal couple are parting "amicably". -
Diana's statements
The BBC news magazine, Panorama, aired Diana's explosive interview. During the conversation, she talked about her past struggles with depression, bulimia and self-harm. But what stood out most in the interview was the following quote "Well, there were three of us in the marriage." -
Divorce
The terms of the royal divorce were finalized. Diana receives a lump sum settlement of $22.5 million in cash, as well as about $600,000 a year to maintain her private office. She agreed to renounce any future claim to be queen, and will henceforth be referred to as Diana, Princess of Wales. -
The people's princess 2.0
Diana walked through a minefield in war-torn Angola to support the Red Cross's call for a ban on landmines. In doing so, she sought to showcase the mine clearance work being done by one of the charities she sponsored. -
Unfortunate outcome
Diana was with Dodi Fayed at a Paris hotel. At the end of the evening, they were moving in their limousine, but it was being chased by photographers on motorcycles. Trying to leave the paparazzi behind, the driver crashed and caused a tragic accident in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Diana, only 36 years old, was pronounced dead in hospital shortly afterwards. -
Goodbye, princess.
Millions of people around the world watch Diana's procession at Westminster Abbey. Later that day, her remains are transported home to her family's estate at Althorp, where she is buried.