Honeymoon in the Country

Our story begins with this heartwarming photo of the beloved Princess Diana and Prince Charles taken on the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1981. Typical newlyweds are at least encouraged to go on a cruise or fly out to a tropical island after tying the knot, and it's easy to understand why.

The honeymoon is a perfect time for the couple to relax, celebrate their entry into matrimony and strengthen the bond of their relationship. However, since the Prince and Princess of Wales had to spend their honeymoon with the rest of the royal family, they had to treasure each private moment.

Out Skiing With the Boys

Even before her entry into the royal family, Diana had built a reputation for her sense of style. It appears she tried her best to pass on her creativity to her sons. From their color-coordinated snowsuits to trendy sunglasses, don't these three look like the most adorable trio?

The British royals are known for a great many things, but their love for the snow is unmatched. They always seem to pick gorgeous locales for each trip as well. Here, Diana and her sons, Princes Williams and Harry, are enjoying a wonderful time at a ski resort in Lech, Austria. The year was 1994.

An Interview at a Palace

Most people expect that marriage will mark the start of their happily ever after. Sadly, such a blissful romance wasn't in the books for Diana. Soon after tying the knot, she was plagued by countless rumors and controversies about her relationship with other family members.

In fact, when she and Prince Charles had a sit-down with Alastair Burnet at Kensington Palace in 1985, the conversation revolved around such gossip and the actual state of their family life. This may seem invasive to regular folk, but royalty has long resigned themselves to having the public nitpick the intimate details of their lives.

A Force for Good

Diana's philanthropic tendencies are another aspect of her life that can never be erased. So no matter how much time passes or how the memory of her existence may fade from our collective minds, as long as photos like this exist, the world will always remember her name.

Princess Diana was one of the most vocal supporters of the move to ban the use of landmines. And her work to that effect is never as poignant as when she made a trip to Angola in 1997 to meet these landmine victims. In her determination to be a force for good Diana was sympathetic to their plight.

Naughty Harry

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, may not have spent a lot of time with his mother, but the few years they had together had an influence on his upbringing. So after his interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, many well-wishers insisted that his mother would be proud of the man he'd become.

Little Harry looks every bit like a mama's boy in this photo as he sticks out his tongue at the crowd gathered around Buckingham Palace. We also admire Diana's skill in coordinating their outfits. But this wasn't the first and only time Harry used his signature move during a public appearance.

The Stepmother

Another notable character in this story is Diana's stepmother, Raine Spencer. Countess Spencer was cast in the role of the wicked stepmother as Diana and her siblings didn't have a good relationship with her. In fact, she was so unpopular that they were known to refer to her as 'Acid Raine.'

But despite their differences, it appears that Diana and the Countess were able to bury the hatchet. At the time of the latter's death in 1997, both women had reconciled. They were well on their way to building a more positive relationship. Raine was also a vital witness at Diana's inquest in 2007.

Another Chance at Love

Weeks before her tragic death, Diana was seen having the time of her life aboard this luxury yacht with her new beau, Dodi Al Fayed. The couple took a romantic trip across the Mediterranean in this multi-million-pound boat. It was one of the many moments in Diana's life when she was truly happy.

If this were a fairytale, Diana would have enjoyed a long and fruitful life after her divorce from Prince Charles. She would have spent her days nurturing her newfound romance with Egyptian film producer Fayed and gotten the chance to take many more trips like this. But we all know how this story ends.

Never Going Out of Style

The Princess of Wales is giving major 'Big hair, don't care' energy in this photo. Her stunning red gown with its high shoulder pads was very on theme for a state reception in Melbourne in 1988, but something tells us she would still be able to pull off this look if she were alive in, say, 2022.

Though the hair starts to look photoshopped if you stare at it long enough, we both know it isn't. After all, this is hardly different from many of the other hairstyles Diana favored during her lifetime. She could embody elegance even without trying.

Relaxing at the Beach

While watching "The Crown," you'd be hard-pressed to find any member of the royal family who had a kind word to say about the Princess of Wales. But the show did well by portraying her unique bond with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Because though Diana may be accused of some things, no one could ever say she wasn't a devoted mother. During a hot summer day at the beach, she was captured having a fun time with her boys and their friends. And even covered in sand, she still looks phenomenal in her animal print bathing suit and sunglasses.

Trendsetter

A photo of Princess Diana and Prince Charles may feel like nothing special at this point, but take a moment to appreciate her rubber boots. Diana was a big fan of the Hunter "Wellingtons." So during the trip to the countryside, she couldn't resist putting on her favorite rain boots for the photocall.

When this photo was taken, the pair hadn't tied the knot. In fact, the Palace authorities had planned this visit to Balmoral months before their July nuptials. It's hardly surprising that Diana draws all eyes with her well-coordinated outfit. And with this photo, she single-handedly increased the sale of "Hunter boots" in the U.K.

Picture Perfect

Diana was one of the most photographed women in the world, and for a good reason. No matter where she was and what she was doing, she always managed to serve effortless looks that embodied the elegance and grace she was famous for. So it's only fitting that we close out this tale with a photo of a picture-perfect family.

This snap of the Prince and Princess of Wales taken at Kensington Palace shows them playing the part of the happy couple with their adorable sons. And today, a statue of Diana sits on the palace grounds immortalizing her love for her children.

A Cake Like No Other

When Lady Diana and Prince Charles exchanged vows at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, it was the most extravagant event of the year. And now, decades later, we still look back on it in awe. If for nothing else, for the scrumptious-looking work of art that was their official wedding cake.

David Avery, the then-head baker of the Royal Navy School of Cookery, designed this elaborate 5-foot piece of confectionery that weighed 200 pounds. And it took 14 whole weeks for the fruit cake to be baked and decorated with Prince Charles' coat of arms, the Spencer family crest, and a mix of flowers.

A Journey Through Time

The sapphire blue ring Diana used to mark her engagement is one of the most recognizable ornaments in history. Though the bauble's design is truly worthy of consideration, much of the hype surrounding it comes from the controversy that haunted Diana after she got it.

Most royal betrothal bands are custom-made, and this one was no different. However, Diana strayed from tradition by allowing it to be featured in the jeweler's catalog. This meant that anyone with $60 thousand to spare at the time could have bought themselves a copy. In 2010, Kate Middleton became its new owner after Prince William proposed.

Changing the Status Quo

As if the incident with the ring wasn't enough, Princess Diana proved once again during her wedding ceremony that she was willing to pave her own path. So to this day, she is remembered as the first royal bride to deliberately omit the word 'obey' from her vows.

She made up for the minor omission by promising to love, comfort, honor, and keep Prince Charles in sickness and health. And though this made major news headlines after the event, Diana would be happy to know that both of her sons followed in her footsteps while exchanging vows with their beaus.

Showstopper

Princess Diana was the kind of woman who could inspire awe and amazement at every event. While everyone else was busy following trends, she was creating her own. So her presence on any occasion was almost always met with an enthusiastic response.

This photo was taken on November 1, 1982, when she showed up at the Guildhall in London for a fashion show. The event was hosted to raise funds for the "Birthright" charity, and Diana was one of the esteemed guests in attendance. Though many designers had the honor of creating her iconic looks, this blue number was made by Bruce Oldfield.

A Love Lost

Charles and Diana could never find happily ever after together because the former had already given his heart to another. One can only strive to understand the inner workings of the royal family. But even then, it takes a lot for anyone to understand why Prince Charles was strongly encouraged to wed Diana instead of his ex-girlfriend Camilla Parker-Bowers.

In 1975, the former love birds were captured having a conversation at a polo match. It was a strange twist of fate, considering that Charles and Camilla had first met at a polo match in 1970 before ending their relationship five years later.

A Modern Cinderella

Like the heroine of the famous fairytale, Princess Diana got to wrap her feet in the most beautiful shoes ever. Even the 542 sequins and 132 pearls that were painstakingly embroidered onto them bring to mind the jewel-encrusted pair that 'Cinderella' wore to the famous ball.

Diana opted out of wearing high heels because she didn't want to appear taller than the groom. So the slippers were designed with lower ones. But the best bit is the secret note carved at the bottom of its arches–the designers painted letters C and D (you know why) under each bend with a heart between them.

Facing the Crowd

There's a good reason why many hail Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage as the wedding of the century. The events of July 29, 1981, had over 3,000 guests in attendance. It was also watched by a record-breaking 750 million people, with thousands upon thousands in 74 countries across the globe, sitting glued to their TV, bearing witness to the proceedings.

It was also the first time in 300 years that a British citizen would be seen walking down the aisle with an heir to the throne. So that alone made the nuptials a highly anticipated affair. And as one would expect, the prince and his betrothed were very nervous.

Among Multitudes

Diana's fairytale didn't just end with the perfect pair of shoes. She also got to ride in a horse-drawn carriage with footmen. But she wasn't alone. The rest of the wedding party and the royal family also rode from Buckingham Palace to the ceremony in carriages.

As if expecting a large turnout, the U.K. declared the date a public holiday. So netizens had every reason to come out en masse and cheer on their soon-to-be princess. Over half a million spectators lined the route as the procession made its way down. And thousands of policemen and military officers were around to manage the crowd.

Sealed With a Kiss

No matter how much time goes into planning an event, there's always the chance that something could go wrong. Interestingly, one slip-up that occurred that day gave rise to a now-adored royal wedding tradition. And like the best of tales, it all begins with a kiss.

Prince Charles was so nervous that he forgot to kiss Diana at the altar. But the couple more than made up for that blunder when they shared this now-iconic kiss at the Buckingham Palace balcony. We can almost hear the crowd roaring in approval. That moment caused a chain reaction for the next generations of royal couples.

A Sophisticated Princess

Before she transitioned from a wealthy socialite to a member of the ruling class, Diana was known for her signature cropped hair. So though she experimented with different variations of her iconic style throughout her lifetime, she never quite lost her taste for short hair.

But this photo taken at the "Barnado's" charity in November of 1984 shows her brief dalliance with longer locks. After her second son, Prince Harry, was born, Diana decided to grow out her hair until it grazed her shoulders. She curled the ends here and had it pinned behind her ears to show off her elegant pearl earrings.

The Other Woman

In this tale of love won and lost, Camilla Parker Bowles was the other woman. Though she and Prince Charles were able to rekindle their romance after Diana's death, many wonder why they weren't allowed to be together in the first place. Some even speculate that the initial breakup had been Camilla's idea.

Diana knew from the start that Charles and Camilla had some history. Still, her name made it to the royal wedding's guest list. And in an old interview recording, Diana can be heard describing the moment she saw Camilla sitting in the audience as she walked down the aisle.

The Trouble With the Train

In a marriage ceremony as grandiose as this, the bride's dress has a place of honor. And Diana didn't disappoint. It took three months for her lavish gown to be completed, and it was crafted out of ivory silk taffeta. Each of the 10,000 micro pearls embroidered onto it was also painstakingly stitched on by hand.

But the highlight of the garment was its 25-foot-long train. However, when Diana approved its design, she didn't consider how much of a hassle it would be to fit all that cloth into the carriage on D-Day. So the train had to be folded over like a bed sheet before it could fit.

A Family Heirloom

Any conversation about Diana's famous nuptials would be incomplete without her tiara. As they say, every bride needs something old, something new, and something borrowed. And with so many options at her disposal, Diana settled on the Spencer tiara that had been previously worn by her sisters, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane, at their own ceremonies.

The tiara was made up of several pieces, including one from her grandmother, Lady Cynthia Hamilton's wedding present, and another from Viscountess Frances Manby's jewelry. But because she wasn't accustomed to wearing a tiara, Diana developed a nasty headache by the end of the day.

Cracks in the Foundation

When Charles and Diana showed up for this reception during their tour of Canada in 1991, they had already been married for a decade. But the cracks in their marriage had begun showing years before, back in 1987. And once the media got wind of it, they dubbed them 'The Glums.'

It wasn't difficult for people to notice that the once vibrant Diana was now a shadow of herself. And even at public events, she and Charles appeared uncomfortable in each other's company. Multiple news reports ran stories detailing the couple's dissatisfaction with one another and how they were always cold and withdrawn.

Before the Storm

One thing that makes Diana and Charles' descent into melancholy even more disturbing is that they made such a beautiful couple in the beginning. Many recalled how determined Diana was to ensure that her marriage ceremony went smoothly. And even though Charles was wracked by nerves at some point, she wasn't exempt.

She was putting the finishing touches on her outfit by spraying on the floral scent Quelques Fleurs when she suffered a mishap. The bottle fell onto the front of her dress, causing an obvious stain in the fabric. And when attempts to clean the stain failed, she resorted to hiding it with her hand and bouquet.

Keeping them safe

With an event as highly publicized as the 'wedding of the century,' it was important that the famous couple be kept safe while remaining accessible to the public. And it took a combined effort of the police and military to institute measures that would ensure safety while guaranteeing visibility.

Two of the footmen who accompanied the horse-drawn carriages across London were police sergeants with carefully hidden guns in their breeches. Such undercover officers were placed strategically to ensure that things would go off without a glitch. And according to reports, security costs came up to $600 thousand(about 1.7 million today.)

Best Kept Secret

We could talk all day about the many details of Diana's dress and never run out of material. But even the younger generation can guess how much effort went into ensuring that no detail of its design was leaked to the public. Once the chosen fashion designers were announced, security guards were hired to safeguard their shop from the press and would-be burglars.

Each sketch was shown to Diana privately, and once she gave her approval or dissent, the papers were torn up and disposed of. It wasn't until the morning of the nuptials that reporters received details of the outfit in sealed envelopes.

A Meeting of Sovereigns

Being the wife of the heir to the British throne meant Diana had had to be one of the many faces of the monarchy. This meant making trips around the globe and meeting dignitaries of the highest station. Here, she and Prince Charles are pictured alongside President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.

The photo was taken in the Yellow Oval Room in the White House, and Princess Diana cuts a stunning figure in her black designer dress and elbow gloves. The dazzling choker on her neck also helps highlight the simple nature of her outfit. Isn't it amusing that she and Nancy Reagan are a study of opposites?

A Heavy Burden

Back then, everyone assumed that the 20-year-old princess had settled into her role nicely. But Diana confided to close friends that it was difficult for her to cope with the pressures of being Princess of Wales. Still, she made it work by developing an interest in issues that fell out of the purview of royalty.

Diana was heavily involved with numerous charities. She was the patron of many organizations that dealt with homeless youth, children, and the elderly. So though she had a lot on her plate, Diana made sure that most of her responsibilities related to matters she felt strongly about.

Her Caring Nature

Princess Diana sure had a way with children. Throughout her short but eventful life, she was seen doting on her two little boys. But one can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their blood relatives and those who do not share a familial bond with them.

So here we see the just wedded princess gently carrying the youngest bridesmaid at her wedding. Clementine Hansbro was just five years old when she was honored to join the Princess of Wales' bridal train. But being the great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill and daughter of the famous investment banker Richard Hansbro, she was not a stranger to luxury.

Sailing on Britannia

After the tiring events of their nuptials, Prince Charles and Princess Diana needed time away to recharge and enjoy the bliss of being newlyweds. As mentioned earlier, they didn't get the privacy that so many enjoy after tying the knot with their beloved.

Still, they must have been determined to have a good time as they boarded the royal yacht Britannia to get started on their honeymoon. Britannia served the British royals for over four decades and was even described as the royal palace on water. So though it was later decommissioned in 1997, Diana got to sail across the sea in it.

Her Favorite Designer

Bruce Oldfield is regarded as one of the most celebrated couturiers in the United Kingdom. Many also know him as Princess Diana's favorite go-to. Yes, he's been privileged to work with various public figures, including aristocrats like Duchess Camilla of Cornwall and Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones.

But he's also the brains behind this blue ensemble Diana wore to a charity event in 1982. While we can praise him for his skill in creating the most flattering designs, it's also necessary to admit that Diana brought her charm to each outfit. So they transformed from mere pieces of clothing to iconic moments.

A Love Rekindled

After breaking off her relationship with Prince Charles, Camilla made a life for herself with British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles. They walked down the aisle in 1973, eight years before Charles married Diana. And they also had two children together.

But the royals have their share of messes, just like the people they rule. Charles and Camilla rekindled their romance even while being married to different people. It wasn't until their respective divorces had gone through that they finally got to put a stamp of approval on their relationship. So in 2005, Camilla and Charles exchanged vows in the Windsor Guildhall.

Before The Crown

Diana enjoyed a life of privilege even before she made her way into the British monarchy. Her family had a long history with the royals, and she had the luxurious upbringing that many aristocrats are known for. But despite her wealth, she wasn't publicly known until her engagement to Prince Charles was announced.

In this photo, Diana was captured outside her flat in Coleherne Court, London. She shared the space with three close friends and was also working as a kindergarten teacher's assistant at the time. But no job was going to stop her from stepping out without looking her best.