Guide Note:

Princess Diana was the first wife of Charles, The Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne.

Diana Frances Spencer and Prince Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1991, he was 32 and she was 19 years of age. They were married at St Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981. The fairytale wedding was broadcast globally, with approximately 750 million viewers. Together they bore two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who are second and third in line to the thrones of the UK and other Commonwealth Countries.

In a television interview, Prince Charles admitted to an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles, and later she admitted to having one also with James Hewitt, her horse riding instructor. They announced their separation on December 9, 1992, and the divorce was finalized on August 28, 1996. She received a lump sum settlement of £17,000,000, and was not permitted to discuss the terms of the divorce. Princess Diana was no longer titled Her Royal Highness, but Diana, Princess of Wales.

Princess Diana died in an auto accident in Paris, France while being pursued by overzealous paparazzi on August 31, 1997. Her boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed and the driver Henri Paul also perished in the crash, and her bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor. An inquest was held, and in April 2008, a jury found that Princess Diana's death was caused gross negligent driving of chauffeur Henri Paul and paparazzi photographers.

Ten years after her death, Diana is still one of the most famous women in the world. Beloved by most people as a role model on the verge of sainthood, she is also purported by others to have suffered from a personality disorder. She is remembered for her sense of style, charisma, and humor, but mostly for her extensive devotion to her charities until her untimely death.

Fast Facts:

1. Full name: Diana Frances Spencer
2. Born: July 1, 1961
3. Died: August 31, 1997
4. Served as president or patron of over 100 charities
5. Worked tirelessly with the Red Cross to ban the use of landmines

Quotes:

1. "Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be."
2. "I want to walk into a room, be it a hospital for the dying or a hospital for the sick children, and feel that I am needed. I want to do, not just to be."
3. "Well there were three of us in the marriage so it was a bit crowded."
4. "They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?"