15 Lesser-Known Facts About Princess Diana
Princess Diana was one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Although she lived much of her life in the spotlight, here are 15 lesser-known facts you probably don't know about her.
Princess Diana of Wales, the late Princess of Hearts was, without a doubt, a fascinating woman, and her life had several particularities you probably don't know about.
Here Are 15 Lesser-Known Facts About Princess Diana:
1. Princess Diana Was The Fourth Of Five Children
She had two sisters, Sarah (now Lady Sarah McCorquodale) and Jane (now Lady Jane Fellowes), and a younger brother, Charles Spencer (now Earl Spencer). Her other brother, John Spencer, died a few hours after birth.
2. Lady Di's Parents Divorced When She Was Only 7
Princess Diana's parents, Frances Shand Kydd and Edward John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, divorced when she was 7. The reasons given by the Princess of Wales' mother were physical abuse and infidelity.
3. She Wanted To Be A Ballerina But She Was Too Tall
The princess of Wales studied ballet for a long time. She wanted to become a professional dancer, but her height prevented her from taking her dream further.
4. Princess Diana Was The First Royal Bride To Have A Paid Job
When she married Prince Charles in 1981, Diana became the first royal bride to ever have a paid job.
5. Prince Charles Dated Her Sister
Diana met Prince Charles through her older sister Sarah. Prince Charles and Sarah went out a few times before Diana met her future husband.
6. Prince Charles Was Her Distant Cousin
Diana and Charles were, in fact, distant relatives. They were 16th cousins, both descended from King Henry VII of the Tudor dynasty. Prince William and Kate Middleton are also distant relatives.
7. Her Wedding Dress Broke A Record
The wedding dress worn by Princess Diana at her wedding, with a train of over 7 and a half meters of silk, was the longest in the history of royal weddings. The dress was made by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
8. Diana’s Famous "Swan Lake" Necklace
One of Princess Diana’s most iconic jewelry pieces was the pearl and diamond necklace she wore at a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in 1997.
The necklace was designed by Garrard and became known as the "Swan Lake Suite."
This piece, which she wore only once, later became one of the most famous items sold at auction following her death.
9. Lady Di Had An Affair With Her Bodyguard
Barry Mannakee was a police officer in the Royal Protection Squad, before spending a year as Princess Diana's bodyguard. He was transferred from his post because there was an "unusually close relationship" between the two.
The Princess revealed she was "deeply in love" and was "very happy to give it all up and go and live with him". The man died in a motorcycle accident when he was only 39. The princess was convinced that the bodyguard's death was caused by their affair.
10. The Engagement Ring Kate Middleton Received From Prince William Belonged To Princess Diana
The famous sapphire ring Kate Middleton received from Prince William for her engagement was Princess Diana's. She purchased it from a catalog of Garrard's collectors' jewelry.
11. The Watch She Wore as a Bracelet
Princess Diana often wore her Cartier Tank watch, but in a memorable move, she also famously styled it as a bracelet. She was known for pairing it with multiple bangles, showing her flair for mixing high-end jewelry with casual accessories, creating a trend still popular in the fashion world today.
12. The Title Of "Her Royal Highness" Was Revoked After Her Divorce
After Prince Charles divorced her in 1996, the title of "Her Royal Highness" was removed, with the Prince himself insisting that this should happen.
According to the terms of their divorce, "she must relinquish her right to be Queen of England and be called Her Royal Highness," the New York Times reported.
13. Diana’s Love for Aquamarine Jewelry
After her divorce from Prince Charles, Princess Diana commissioned a stunning aquamarine ring from Asprey, which she wore as a replacement for her engagement ring.
This striking piece featured a large emerald-cut aquamarine flanked by smaller diamonds and showcased her refined taste in jewelry. She even paired it with a matching aquamarine bracelet, further cementing her love for the gem.
14. The Emerald Choker Worn as a Headband
In one of her most iconic fashion moments, Princess Diana famously wore an emerald and diamond choker as a headband during a trip to Australia in 1985.
The piece was originally a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth and was part of a larger set of emerald jewelry. This bold styling choice remains one of the most remembered and talked-about moments in royal fashion history.
15. Her First Public Appearance in a Diamond and Sapphire Necklace
One of Diana’s earliest appearances as Prince Charles' fiancée was at a gala event in 1981, where she wore a dazzling diamond and sapphire necklace.
The necklace was a gift from the Queen Mother, featuring a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds. It was an early indicator of her love for sapphires, a stone that would become a signature element in her jewelry collection.
Photo Credit: White House/ Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
