These are 18 little-known facts about Princess Diana of Wales. (Photo: Archive)
She was home-schooled until the age of 9. After that, she was sent to an exclusive boarding school, the West Heath School. (Photo: Archive)
She wasn’t the best student. Diana failed her O levels twice and often joked about her poor academic record. (Photo: Archive)
Diana cycled through several blue -collar jobs, including babysitting, cleaning works, and kindergarten teacher at Young England School. (Photo: Archive)
She wanted to be a ballerina, but became too tall for it. But her love for classical dance led her to become a big supporter of the English National Ballet. (Photo: Archive)
Her grandmother, Lady Fermoy, served the Royal Family for nearly 40 years. She was close friends with Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother. (Photo: Archive)
Her sister Lady Sarah Spencer dated Prince Charles first. Diana met Prince Charles at a family gathering, when Lady Sarah brought him over. (Photo: Archive)
She became engaged to Prince Charles at age 19 and married him at age 20. (Photo: Archive)
Her engagement ring—14 solitaire diamonds around a 12-carat sapphire set in white gold, now belongs to Duchess Kate Middleton. (Photo: Archive)
The 25-silk train on her wedding dress is the longest in Royal history. She even had to have several practice sessions walking in it. (Photo: Archive)
She chose to abandon the royal wedding vow of saying she would “obey” Prince Charles. Kate and William did the same three decades later. (Photo: Archive)
Her wedding to Prince Charles was broadcast in 74 countries and watched by 750 million people worldwide. Her funeral 16 years later had 2.5 billion viewers. (Photo: Archive)
She used to take her sons on outings not typical for royal children, which included Disney World, McDonald’s, and even AIDS clinics and homeless shelters. (Photo: Archive)
Diana was on the cover of Time magazine 8 times, Newsweek 7 times, and People magazine more than 50 times. When she was on the cover of a magazine, sales soared. (Photo: Archive)
Gianni Versace, George Michael, Bryan Adams, and Elton John were some of Princess Diana’s closest friends. (Photo: Archive)
Her favorite color was pink, and she was often seen wearing it. (Photo: Archive)
Two months before her death, as a suggestion from Prince William, Princess Diana auctioned off 79 of her dresses, raiding $5.76 million for AIDS and breast cancer charities. (Photo: Archive)
Her grave is on an island in an ornamental lake on her family’s estate, Althorp Park. (Photo: Archive)
Newsweek came out with a computer generated, digitally aged, Princess Diana walking next to Duchess of Cambridge, on the cover. The issue commemorated what would have been the princess’ 50th birthday. (Photo: Archive)
56 years ago, one of the most influential women of the twentieth century was born. Diana of Wales blossomed from a shy, private member of the British aristocracy into the people’s princess. But there was a lot more to Diana than just her royal title.
Today, her name is synonymous of strength and independence all around the world.
Celebrating the birth of Lady Di, here are 18 things you didn’t know about her.
