![Princess of Wales Diana Spencer](https://www.onthisday.com/images/people/diana-spencer.jpg?w=360)
Profession: Princess of Wales
Biography: Diana was the wife of Prince Charles from 1981 until their divorce in 1996. Their relationship and eventual break-up drew enormous media scrutiny from around the globe. The object of worldwide press attention during and after her marriage, Diana became a media sensation.
During her life she was a supporter of many charitable causes, notably land-mine clearance, AIDS, and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.
On 31 August 1997 she died in a car crash in Paris. Global attention and mourning was extensive, and 2 billion people tuned in to her funeral on 6 September.
Born: July 1, 1961
Birthplace: Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Cancer
Articles and Photos
Taj Mahal: A Monument To Love
An emperor’s beloved wife died on this day. Heartbroken, he began a 22-year project to build a unique monument on her burial site – the magnificent Taj Mahal.
June 17, 1631St Paul's Defies Bombing Conflagration
There had been a church on this London spot for well over 1,000 years but it seemed only a miracle could save it from the inferno caused by 100,000 bombs.
June 21, 1675The Day Murdoch Spoilt the Queen's Christmas
Queen Elizabeth II made the first live Christmas Day broadcast of her reign on December 25, 1952. Forty years later a pre-recorded message would be leaked.
December 25, 1952Nelson Mandela Begins 27 Years in Jail
Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on this day and sent to Robben Island, seven miles off Cape Town. It caused international outrage.
June 12, 1964
Married Life
- 1981-07-29 His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales weds Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral, London
- 1995-12-19 Queen Elizabeth asks Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, to divorce
- 1996-07-15 Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, sign divorce papers
Historical Events
- 1981-02-24 Britain's Prince Charles announces engagement to Lady Diana Spencer
- 1982-06-22 Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales take their first new-born son Prince William home from hospital
- 1982-06-28 Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, name their baby "William"
- 1989-02-01 Diana, Princess of Wales visits New York City
- 1995-11-20 Diana, Princess of Wales, admits she cheated on Prince Charles in a TV interview
- 1997-01-15 Diana, Princess of Wales, calls for an international ban on landmines, angering ministers in the UK
- 1997-06-25 Christies auctions off some of the wardrobe of Diana, Princess of Wales, for $5.5 million
- 1997-08-31 Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash in a road tunnel in Paris
- 1997-09-06 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales held at Westminster Abbey in London
- 1997-09-13 Elton John releases single "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the UK
- 1997-09-22 Elton John releases "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the US
- 1998-02-03 Stamps commemorating Diana, Princess of Wales, go on sale in Britain
- 1998-03-06 British Union Flag begins to be flown full-mast over Buckingham Palace whenever British monarch not in residence, following change of protocol after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
- 2021-07-01 Britain's Princes William and Harry unveil statue to their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, on what would have been her 60th birthday, at Kensington Palace