The late Diana, Princess of Wales was born The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 in Norfolk. She received the style Lady Diana Spencer in 1975, when her father inherited his Earldom.
Lady Diana Spencer married The Prince of Wales at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 29 July 1981.
During her marriage the Princess undertook a wide range of royal duties. Family was very important to the Princess, who had two sons: Prince William and Prince Henry (Harry). After her divorce from The Prince of Wales, the Princess continued to be regarded as a member of the Royal Family.
Diana, Princess of Wales, died on Sunday, 31 August 1997, following a car crash in Paris.
There was widespread public mourning at the death of this popular figure, culminating with her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 September 1997.
Even after her death, the Princess’s work lives on in the form of commemorative charities and projects set up to help those in need.
Marriage and family
On 24 February 1981 it was officially announced that Lady Diana was to marry The Prince of Wales. As neighbours at Sandringham until 1975, their families had known each other for many years, and Lady Diana and The Prince had met again when he was invited to a weekend at Althorp in November 1977.
Public role
After her marriage, The Princess of Wales quickly became involved in the official duties of the Royal Family.
Her first tour with The Prince of Wales was a three-day visit to Wales in October 1981. In 1983 she accompanied the Prince on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, and they took the infant Prince William with them. Prince William, with Prince Harry, again joined The Prince and Princess of Wales at the end of their tour to Italy in 1985.
Death
The tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales occurred on Sunday 31 August 1997 following a car accident in Paris, France.
The vehicle in which The Princess was travelling was involved in a high-speed accident in the Place de l’Alma underpass in central Paris shortly before midnight on Saturday 30 August.