The Legacy of Princess Diana
Often referred to as the “People’s Princess,” Diana’s nickname did not stem from her own preference.
Rather, it was her charitable endeavors and genuine warmth that made her a cherished figure among the British populace during challenging times, serving as a source of inspiration. As she once expressed, her desire was to be viewed as a queen not just in title, but also in the hearts of those she touched.
The tragic incident in Paris that claimed her life remains one of the most shocking occurrences in recent British history. Nevertheless, the legacy of Princess Diana continues to flourish today, primarily through her sons, William and Harry, as well as in the fond memories of the people.
Over the years, numerous remarkable photographs of Diana have circulated, yet there exists a collection of images that are less well-known.
These images, however, are no less remarkable…
Diana’s life ended far too soon, marked by numerous trials and tribulations. Tragically, she was relentlessly pursued wherever she went, and after entering the royal family, her private life became tumultuous.
Princess Diana’s Parenting Journey with Harry and William
Despite the challenges, Diana remained a devoted mother who consistently prioritized the needs of William and Harry. As a parent, she longed for their childhoods to be as ordinary as possible.
Diana frequently took her sons to amusement parks and various recreational venues. While she understood the significance of their royal status, including the constant pampering and expectations to behave like royalty, she also appreciated the importance of providing them with the opportunity to enjoy life like other children. Thus, she covertly whisked them away from the palace to indulge in fast-food outings.
“I remember the princess coming into the kitchen and saying, ‘Cancel lunch for the boys, I’m taking them out; we’re going to McDonald’s,’” shared Diana’s former private chef, Darren McGrady, with Marie Claire.
“I responded, ‘Oh my God, Your Royal Highness, I can do that; I can make burgers.’ But she said, ‘No, it’s the toy they want.’”
Of course, William and Harry cherished these moments with their mother. She raised them in a manner that allowed them to feel like ordinary children, which, in many ways, they were!
Recently, Prince William reminisced about how Diana drove, illustrating that she and her boys shared many characteristics with the members of an ordinary family.
William often listens to Tina Turner to keep memories of his mother alive. He revealed that the song “The Best” evokes memories of his childhood, particularly how Diana played it in the car to help ease his anxiety.
“When Harry and I were young, we attended boarding school. My mother played various songs to distract me from the fears associated with returning to school,” Prince William recalled.
“One song that I remember very well, that has accompanied me throughout my life and that I still enjoy secretly, is Tina Turner’s ‘The Best,’ because sitting in the backseat singing along felt like a genuine family moment.”
“My mother would be driving, singing at the top of her lungs. Even the police officer in the car would sometimes join in the singing.”
The future king added, “They would sing and listen to music en route to school, moments that, when I recall them now, transport me back to those car rides, igniting many memories of my mother.”
Diana always aimed to be the ideal mother and was fully aware that her sons would occasionally have disagreements.
Encouraging Lifelong Friendship Between Her Sons
She wished for her sons to remain best friends for life. Renowned royal historian Robert Lacey shared insights about Harry and William’s childhood, highlighting how their mother wanted them to make an important promise to one another.
In his book “The Battle of the Brothers,” Lacey discusses the close bond between William and Harry during their early years and adolescence. Diana was deeply invested in ensuring they stayed connected throughout their lives, urging them to promise one another that they would always be “best friends.”
Lacey cites psychic Simone Simmons, who provided guidance to Diana.
“You must promise me that you will always be best friends,” Diana reportedly told her sons, according to Simmons. “And never let anyone come between you.”
“Both boys pledged to do so,” Simmons recalls. “They high-fived each other and embraced their mother tightly.
“Anyone witnessing that moment would have melted,” she added. “Then they went off to play football.”
From the very beginning, it was evident that royal life wasn’t everything to Diana. Her children always came first, and she aimed to protect them from anything that could stand in their way.
This concern extended even to the royal family itself—rumors surfaced that Diana feared the Queen and Charles intended to separate her from her children.
While William and Harry may have given their mother that promise, their relationship has faced significant challenges in recent years, beginning with Harry’s decision to step away from royal duties in 2020.
A year ago, on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, William and Harry reunited to unveil a statue honoring their late mother. The bronze sculpture, depicting Diana surrounded by her three children, was placed in the Kensington Palace Sunken Garden, her former residence in London.
“Today, on our mother’s 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength, and character—qualities that made her a force for good across the globe and changed countless lives for the better,” William and Harry expressed in a joint statement.
“Every day, we wish she were here, and we hope this statue will always serve as a symbol of her life and legacy.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s passing. Both William and Harry took the time to honor their beloved mother, albeit separately.
As per a royal source who spoke to People magazine, William spent the day quietly with his wife, Kate Middleton, in Windsor.
Leading up to the anniversary, which falls on August 31st, Harry spoke about his mother and expressed his desire to make her proud.
Diana’s Turbulent Marriage and Charles’ Affair with Camilla
“I want this day to be filled with memories of her incredible work and her love for what she did,” Harry remarked regarding the anniversary. “I hope to share the spirit of my mother with my family, with my children whom I wish she could have met. Every day, I strive to be someone she would be proud of.”
Despite leading an extremely public life, Diana faced personal challenges like any other individual. One of her greatest struggles stemmed from her marriage to then-Prince Charles.
Years into their marriage, Charles began an affair with Camilla, who later became his wife.
According to Prince Charles’ authorized biography, quoted by Town & Country, their affair commenced in 1986 while Charles was still married to Diana, who eventually learned of it.
In 1989, Diana confronted Camilla about the affair, urging her to withdraw.
“I know what’s happening between you and Charles, and I want you to be aware of that,” Camilla recalled Diana saying, as reported by Town & Country.
Diana expressed, “You have everything you could ever wish for. Men all over the world adore you, you have two wonderful children. What more could you want?”
“And I said, ‘I need my husband.’ I apologized for being in your way, and I can imagine it must be hell for both of you. But I am aware of what is happening. Please don’t treat me like an idiot,” Diana reportedly said to Camilla.
A Break from Tradition at Diana’s Funeral
While the public perception appeared normal on the surface, the fairy-tale existence of Charles and Diana was not over instantly. In 1992, the couple announced their separation, though both continued to fulfill their royal duties. Four years later, in August 1996, they finalized their divorce.
In addition to a substantial settlement, Diana retained the right to her apartment in Kensington Palace and the title “Princess of Wales.” However, she agreed to relinquish her title of “Her Royal Highness” and any future claims to the throne.
Diana’s passing shocked the entire nation and the world. Her funeral took place on September 6, 1997, at Westminster Abbey, after which she was laid to rest at her family’s estate, Althorp Park.
Over 2000 attendees participated in Diana’s funeral service. Following the ceremony, her coffin was transported through London, where the British public was afforded the opportunity to bid farewell to their beloved princess.
Interestingly, the Queen has never bowed before anyone. However, during Diana’s funeral, she broke royal protocol and bowed her head in respect as Diana’s coffin passed by her. This marked the only occasion when Queen Elizabeth defied this royal tradition.
Rare Images of Princess Diana
Throughout most of her royal life, Diana was relentlessly pursued by paparazzi; it is safe to say she was likely the most photographed person in the world at that time.
In brief, everyone wanted a piece of Diana. According to reports from The Guardian, tabloid papers offered up to $500,000 for blurry photographs of her.
Both William and Harry experienced the duality of the public coverage surrounding their mother. Harry mentioned that he had contemplated leaving the royal family at the age of 20, partly due to witnessing the treatment his mother received prior to her passing.
“Look at what happened to my mother. How can I settle down, find a wife, and start a family knowing that could happen again?” Harry explained. “I don’t want to be part of that.”
Despite everything, many iconic pictures of Princess Diana have been captured over the years. Some were indeed taken by paparazzi who were eager to sell them, but there are also numerous images that radiate warmth and offer a profound look into Diana’s life and career.
Archives contain hundreds of previously unseen photographs of the beloved late princess. We have curated a selection to showcase a side of Diana that few have had the privilege to witness.
Diana became a style icon at the pinnacle of her fame, carrying that identity even onto the ski slopes.
Skiing, Sunbathing, and Humanitarian Efforts
Below, we see Diana skiing in Austria alongside her sons, Harry and William. This photograph was taken when Harry was just nine years old. He looks simply charming, and the whole family looks fantastic!
In 1990, Diana traveled to Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands with her children and her sister’s kids. The island belonged to Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.
Diana certainly knew how to have a good time. Check out this beautiful photograph taken in 1992 when she and Harry visited Thorpe Park amusement park.
Frequently heralded as the “People’s Princess,” Diana was dedicated to numerous humanitarian causes, setting a high standard for how compassionate and kind-hearted individuals should behave. In this image, Princess Diana visits an orthopaedic workshop in Luanda, Angola, sitting alongside landmine victims.
We could endlessly discuss these beautiful photographs of Diana. This particular shot was taken in 1971 while she spent her summer vacation in Itchenor, West Sussex.
This image was captured outside Diana’s apartment in Coleherne Court in London, prior to her engagement to Charles.
In this endearing image, we see Harry sticking his tongue out at the crowd gathered around Buckingham Palace, while Diana appears somewhat taken aback.
The Barbour clothing brand continues to appeal to the royals, but it suited Princess Diana particularly well.
She adored Barbour, and while visiting the Outer Hebrides in Scotland in 1985, she was perfectly attired in her waxed cotton Barbour-style jacket.
Jana Fincher, the royal photographer who captured many of the most iconic images of Princess Diana, followed the royal couple everywhere. She even chartered an aircraft to reach the Outer Hebrides during an official visit by Charles and Diana.
“When I caught up with them,” Fincher recalls, “Charles asked, ‘Where have you been?’”
The Outer Hebrides are known for fierce winds and rain, and Diana experienced these weather conditions firsthand during her 1985 visit.
However, in the photographs taken during this trip, she looked stunning. As photographer Jane reviewed the negatives, one thing became clear to her.
“You don’t often see Diana in such attire. She looked so happy. It was pouring rain, but her makeup was flawless and not smudged. I, on the other hand, never looked particularly good,” she observed.
The following image was captured in the final summer of Diana’s life, showing her joyfully jumping into the water with her friend Dodi al-Fayed on a yacht in Saint-Tropez, France.