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As a young girl, the blue-eyed Diana did not to know the glamorous and dramatic life she would go on to lead.
Dubbed the People’s Princess’ by royal fans, Diana was an inspiration to so many, and will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion.
Diana’s sudden death led to a huge outpouring of grief across the world and who are still remembering the beloved Princess 21 years on.
Her legacy continues to live on through her children, Prince William and Prince Harry, who will mark the anniversary of her death in private.
From her engagement to Prince Charles as a shy teenager, to her roles as doting mother, humanitarian and global celebrity, Diana brought fresh energy but also instability to Britain’s royal family.
She used her position to champion some of the most marginalised groups in society, shaking hands with patients with AIDS and leprosy
As the world marks the 21st anniversary of her death, here is a look back at the people’s princess’ extraordinary life in pictures.
Relive her childhood to her years as a mother, style queen and philanthropist.
Princess Diana’s life and legacy in pictures (Image: Getty)
Beginning with Diana as a child
This charming photograph shows a young Lady Diana Spencer in her pram at Park House on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk in 1963.
Diana grew up on the estate but she moved to Althorp in Northamptonshire when her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975.
As a young child, Princess Diana had all the comforts and privileges that came with being born into an aristocratic family.
Princess Diana once described this time in her life as a “very unhappy” one – caused by the divorce of her parents.
She said: “For my brother and I, it was a very wishy-washy and painful experience.
A young Lady Diana Spencer in her pram at Park House, Sandringham in Norfolk, 1963 (Image: Getty)
Diana marries her Prince Charming
Prince Charles and Diana kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day on July 29 1981.
Millions of people lined the streets in London and an estimated 750 million viewers watched the fairytale wedding live on television.
They were married on Wednesday 29 July 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, with notable figures in attendance including many members of royal families from around the world.
Diana wore an ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown with a 25-foot train, valued then at £9000.
The wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (Image: Getty)
Princess Diana welcomes Prince William
The royal couple introduced their newborn son Prince William to the world from the steps of St Mary’s Hospital in London in June 1982.
Diana gave birth to William’s younger brother Harry just over two years later in September 1984.
New born Prince William with Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles leave St. Mary’s hospital (Image: Getty)
As the enduring style icon
Diana a leading icon of 20th century glamour, never had a dull moment when it came to style and set her own rules when it came to fashion.
The princess is seen below wearing a form-fitting black silk number which she wore to the Serpentine Gallery’s summer party, hosted by Vanity Fair in June 1994.
Not only did she almost not wear the gown, but it was the same night a documentary aired in which Prince Charles confessed to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The dress was labeled the ‘revenge dress’.
Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a stunning black dress commissioned from Christina Stambolian (Image: Getty)
Humanitarian and charity legacy
Diana shakes the hand of a patient suffering from Aids at the Hospital Universidade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1991.
She was famous for her humanitarian work and showing great compassion for those who were ill and in need.
Diana befriended Mother Teresa and helped to break down the stigma around HIV/AIDS.
Princess Diana’s humanitarian efforts left an impact on the world, changing many people’s lives for the better. And through her sons, Diana’s work still lives on.
The princess was a patron of several organisations, including the British Royal Cross and the Landmine Survivors Network, and was the president of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children from 1989 until her death.
Princess Diana visiting patients suffering from AIDS at the Hospital Universidade in Rio de Janeiro, (Image: Getty)
Princess Diana as a mother
Diana and her two son are seen laughing after going down the log flume at Thorpe Park theme park in 1993.
Lady Diana was a wonderful mother to her two children Prince William and Prince Harry before her sudden death in 1997.
The Princess of Wales instilled in Prince William and Prince Harry the importance of compassion and humility by leading them by example, kept them out of the public eye as best she could, and tried to keep their undeniably unusual upbringing as normal as possible.
Diana Princess Of Wales, Prince William & Prince Harry visit ‘Thorpe Park’ (Image: Getty)
Diana’s marriage breakdown to Charles
This iconic image shows Diana sitting by herself at the Taj Mahal, while Prince Charles attended a business meeting Bangalore in February 1992.
The poignant photograph at the “monument of love” signalled that Diana and Charles were drifting apart after a deeply unhappy marriage.
The royal couple announced their separation nine months later.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
Princess Diana sits in front of the Taj Mahal during a visit to India (Image: Getty)
Diana as the people’s princess
Mountains of flowers were left outside Diana’s home, Kensington Palace, after her tragic death.
Diana and Dodi Fayed were killed in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
Then Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “She was the people’s princess and that is how she will stay, how she will remain in our hearts and our memories for ever.”
Floral tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales at her home Kensington Palace, London (Image: Getty)
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