Text D. Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales was admired throughout the world for her vitality, determination and beauty. She was killed in the car accident when she was only 36. When she first cameon the royal scene in 1981 she brought а new dimension to the Royal Family, and was soon regarded as one of the most glamorous women in the world. Her charm was apparent to all her style, her influence immense. She truly was the People's Princess.

The Princess of Wales was not royal by birth, although her family descends from Henry VII. She was born the Honourable Diana Frances Spencer in July 1961 in Park House in the Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk. Diana had two older sisters, Sarah and Jane, and а younger brother, Charles. When Diana was six years old, her parents separated and later divorced, the children remaining with their father.

Diana went to а school in Switzerland, whereshe studied domestic science, typing and correspondence, and found plenty of time to enjoy skiing.

When Diana returned to Britain from Switzerland she lived in London, sharing an apartment with old school friends. Diana became а nanny to а number of children, and took а three-month cookery course, before joining the Young England Kindergarten as а helper. She enjoyed the social whirl, attending parties in the evenings and going so the country every weekend.

Most of Diana's circle of friends camefrom similar backgrounds, and when her relationship with the Prince of Wales began, automatically provided her with а shield of protection. Once the media suspected Lady Diana and Prince Charles new romance, press reportedand cameramen pursued her relentlessly.

Diana learned to keep her head down, literally, becoming known as "Shy Di". But once the engagement was official, Diana moved into an apartment in Clarence House, home of the Queen Mother.

The wedding of the Prince Wales and Lady Diana Spencer took Place at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981, barely а month after the bride's 20th birthday. It was а day of joy for everyone: the bride and groom, their families and the millions of people watching on television all over the world.

Diana was everyone' s idea of а fairy-tale bride.

From the moment they were married, the Prince and Princess of Wales became the focus of public attention to an extent never before experienced in Britain, even by the Royal Family. They most closely watched couple in the world, and while Prince Charles was used to being into spotlight, for Diana it was а new experience. She coped impressively, and soon became the most photographed woman in the world.

Here early clays as Princess of Wales were not always easy. Diana’s natural role in life was motherhood. She had always had а special affirmity with children of all ages and she never doubted for а moment that she was intended to be а mother. Speaking about her children she once said, "They mean everything to me"and later added, "I always feed my children love and affection. It' s so important. " She was an affectionate mother. She said she had found her true destiny. Her first son was born on 21 June 1982. Harry was born on 15 September 1984.

As she freely admitted, Diana was not an intellectual. But despite her lack of academic achievement she possessed a quick wit and an understanding that enabled her to survive those early years and adapt to her new role.

With the collapse of her marriage in 1992 – reparation, followed in 1996 by devorce – Diana got out to find а new life for herself as а single parent. She wanted to create an independent role outside the Royal Family but, as the mother of а future King, she was never completely able to shed her responsibilities, or her image throughout the world as "Princess Di". Diana worked hard at keeping physically fit by visiting gymnasium most days, and she sought the company of people whom she believed would not try to exploit her.

She made many visits to the USA where popularity never waked, and where she continued to be treated as royalty. Americans saw her as both an innocent victim and а winner the divorce battle, and acclaimed her as а great survivor and а successful single mother.

Once the publicity of the marriage breakup had died down Diana began working towards her goal, which was to be taken seriously in her own right.

At one time Diana was involved with over а hundred Charities, which she liked to call her "Family of Organizations".

She said "Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to try to help the most vulnerable people in society".

In 1993, Diana announced her retirement from public life and relinquished her position with nearly all her Charities.

One of the most courageous and important of Diana's public appearances was undoubted when she decided to open the first specialist AIDS ward in Britain.

Diana's concern for the dispossessed and the underprivileged knew no national boundaries. Together with her friends she visited Pakistan to support their efforts in famine relief; and after meeting Mother Teresa in

Diana died in а car crash on 31 August 1997 in Paris. Few events in Britain's history have produced the sense of national dismay and bewilderment that followed. People travelled from all parts of the country to pay tribute to the Princess. Thousands of bouquets of flowers were placed at the gates of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, and people queued for up to twelve hours to sign the books of condolence at St James's Palace.

The Queen appeared on television and spoke movingly of her former daughter-in-law. "She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire other with her warmth and kindness. " Diana's body was laid to rest at Althorp, on а peaceful and secluded island in the middle of а lake. Diana will be remembered as an inspirational woman who once said she wanted to be known as a “Queen of Hearts”. Perhaps in death that is exactly what she has become.