Written By: Rachel Brooks
Diana's life and legacy

Diana's life and legacy
In 1981, Diana became engaged to Charles, Prince of Wales, while working as a nursery teacher’s assistant. She married Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral, becoming the Princess of Wales, a role that garnered her significant public admiration. Join us in this slideshow as we explore key years and facts about Diana’s life and legacy.

She gave birth to her first son

She gave birth to her first son

1982: She gave birth to her first son, Prince William, who became second in line to the British throne.

1984: Diana gave birth to her second son, Prince Harry, who became third in line to the throne.

Extensive charity work

Extensive charity work

1985: Diana began her extensive charity work, focusing on various causes, including children’s hospitals and organizations.

1987: She famously shook hands with an AIDS patient, challenging stigma and raising awareness about the disease.

Her charitable contributions

Her charitable contributions

1989: Diana became the first royal to visit a homeless shelter, further establishing her commitment to charitable work.

1990: She was recognized with the “Humanitarian of the Year” award by the American Red Cross for her charitable contributions.

She separated from Charles

She separated from Charles

1991: Diana became a patron of the National AIDS Trust, advocating for AIDS awareness and education.

1992: She separated from Charles, leading to increased media attention and public scrutiny.

Gaining widespread public empathy

Gaining widespread public empathy

1992: Diana was featured on the cover of Vogue, marking her status as a fashion icon.

1995: In a televised interview with Martin Bashir, Diana discussed her struggles with mental health and her marriage, gaining widespread public empathy.

Her Royal Highness

Her Royal Highness

1995: She became the first royal to publicly advocate for the removal of landmines, drawing international attention to the issue.

1996: Diana and Charles finalized their divorce, with her retaining the title “Princess of Wales” but no longer being referred to as “Her Royal Highness.”

Humanitarian Award

Humanitarian Award

1996: She was awarded the “Humanitarian Award” from the United Nations for her work on landmines.

1997: Diana founded the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to continue her charitable work after her passing.

100 Most Influential People in the World

100 Most Influential People in the World

1997: She was involved in a high-profile campaign for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which won the Nobel Peace Prize.

1997: Diana was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine.

Global style icon

Global style icon

1997: She attended a charity gala for the English National Ballet, showcasing her ongoing commitment to the arts.

1997: Diana’s fashion choices during this period solidified her status as a global style icon, influencing designers and fashion trends.

Tragically died in a car crash

Tragically died in a car crash

August 1997: Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris, sparking worldwide mourning and media frenzy.

Royal family dynamics

Royal family dynamics

1997: An inquest into her death concluded with a verdict of unlawful killing, leading to discussions about media intrusion and royal family dynamics.

The Diana Memorial Fund

The Diana Memorial Fund

1998: The Diana Memorial Fund was established to support various charitable organizations in her honor.

Celebrating her life and legacy

Celebrating her life and legacy

2007: The Diana Memorial Fountain was opened in Hyde Park, London, celebrating her life and legacy.

Her impact on the royal family and society

Her impact on the royal family and society

2017: The 20th anniversary of her death was marked by global tributes, reflecting on her impact on the royal family and society.