What family was princess diana from? Princess Diana of Wales

December 16, 2009, 12:05 pm

Diana belonged to the ancient English family Spencer-Churchill. At the age of 16, she met the Prince of Wales, Charles. At first, the prince was predicted to be Diana's sister, Sarah, as a bride, but over time Charles came to the realization that Diana is an incredibly "charming, lively and witty girl with whom it is interesting." Returning from a naval voyage on the ship "Invincible", the prince proposed to her. The wedding took place 6 months later.
In the ceremony, some saw the signs of an unhappy marriage.
While pronouncing the marriage vow, Charles got confused in the pronunciation, and Diana did not quite correctly say his name. However, in the beginning, peace reigned in the relationship of the spouses.
"I'm crazy about getting married when there is someone to whom you devote your time," wrote Princess Diana to her nanny Mary Clarke after the wedding. Soon the couple had two sons: in 1982, Prince William, and in 1984 - Prince Henry, better known as Prince Harry. It seemed that everything in the family was going perfectly, but soon rumors leaked to the press about the prince's infidelity and that he often left his young wife alone. Despite the grievances, Diana, according to her nanny, really loved her husband. "When she married Charles, I remember writing to her that this is the only person in the country with whom she will never be able to divorce. Unfortunately, she could," Mary Clark recalled. In 1992, a sensational statement was made in the UK about the separation of Charles and Diana, and in 1996 their marriage was officially terminated. The reason for the separation was the difficult relationship between the spouses. Diana, hinting at her husband's longtime close friend Camilla Parker Bowles, said that she could not bear the marriage of three.
The prince himself, according to their mutual acquaintances, never tried to hide his love for Camilla, with whom he began a relationship even before the wedding. Not surprisingly, after the divorce proceedings, the public was on the side of Diana. After a high-profile divorce, her name still did not leave the pages of the press, but it was already another princess Diana - an independent, business woman, passionate about charity work. She constantly visited hospitals for AIDS patients, traveled to Africa, to areas where sappers are working hard, removing numerous anti-personnel mines from the ground. In the personal life of the princess, significant changes have also occurred. Diana began an affair with a surgeon from Pakistan, Hasnat Khan. They carefully hid their romance from the press, although Hasnat often lived with her in Kensington Palace, and she stayed for a long time in his apartment in the prestigious Chelsea district of London. Khan's parents were delighted with their son's companion, but he soon told his father that marrying Diana could turn his life into hell due to the deep cultural differences between them. He argued that Diana was "independent" and "likes to go out," which, as a Muslim, was unacceptable to him. Meanwhile, according to close friends of the princess, for the sake of her fiancé she was ready to sacrifice a lot, including changing her faith. Hasnat and Diana broke up in the summer of 1997. According to a close friend of the princess, Diana "deeply experienced and felt pain" after the breakup. But after a while, she began an affair with the son of billionaire Mohammed Al-Fayed Dodi. At first, this relationship, according to her friend, served only as a consolation after breaking up with Hasnat. But soon a dizzying romance broke out between them, it seemed that a worthy and loving man had finally appeared in Lady Dee's life. The fact that Dodi was also divorced and had a reputation for secular red tape, all the more heightened the interest in him from the press. Diana and Dodi have known each other for several years, but only became close in 1997. In July, they spent the holidays in Saint-Tropez with Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry. The boys got along well with the benevolent owner of the house. Later, Diana and Dodi met in London, and then went on a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the luxurious yacht "Jonical". Diana loved to give gifts. Dear and not very, but always imbued with her unique care for everyone who surrounded her. She also gave Dodi things that were dear to herself. For example, the cufflinks given to her by the most beloved person in the world. August 13, 1997 The princess wrote the following words about her gift: "Dear Dodi, these cufflinks were the last gift I received from the person I loved most in the world - my father." "I give them to you because I know how happy he would be if he found out what reliable and special hands they fell into. With love, Diana," the letter says. In another letter from Kensington Palace, dated August 6, 1997, Diana thanks Dodi al-Fayed for a six-day vacation on his yacht, and writes of "endless gratitude for the joy brought into her life." Towards the end of August, the Jonical approached Portofino in Italy and then sailed to Sardinia. August 30, Saturday, the couple in love went to Paris. The next day, Diana was to fly to London to meet her sons on the last day of their summer vacation. Dodi's father later announced that his son and Princess Diana were going to get married. A few hours before his death in a car accident in Paris, Dodi al-Faeid visited a jewelry store. Video cameras captured how he chose a wedding ring. Later that day, a representative of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where Diana and Dodi stayed, arrived at the store and took two rings. One of them, according to Dodi's father, was called "Dis-moi oui" - "Tell me yes" - worth 11.6 thousand pounds ... Dodi.
In order not to attract the attention of other visitors, they retired in a separate office, where, as it was later reported, they exchanged gifts: Diana presented Dodi with cufflinks, and he gave her a diamond ring. In the first hour of the night, they were going to go to Dodi's apartment on the Champs Elysees. Wanting to avoid meeting the paparazzi crowding at the front door, the happy couple took the special elevator next to the hotel's service exits.
There they boarded a Mercedes S-280, accompanied by Trevor-Reese Jones's bodyguard and driver Henri Paul. The details of what happened a few minutes later are still not clear enough, but the gruesome truth is that three of these four died in an accident that took place in an underground tunnel under Place Delalme. Princess Diana was not easily removed from the crumpled car, after which she was immediately sent to the Piti Salptrrier Hospital. The doctors' struggle for her life was unsuccessful. The accident that happened on the night of August 31, 1997 in the Parisian Alma tunnel is a consequence of the flagrant negligence of the driver of the car, who got behind the wheel while drunk and drove the Mercedes at an unacceptably high speed. The accident was also provoked by the pursuit of the princess's car by a group of paparazzi photographers. It was death by negligence. This is the verdict of the jury at the six-month trial in the High Court of London that ended Monday evening. This verdict is final and not subject to appeal. The longest and most intense trial in the history of British justice, I would like to believe, put all the "i's" on. For more than ten years that have passed since the death of the "people's princess", there have been about 155 statements about the existence of a conspiracy to kill Lady Di. The leading violin in defending this version was played all these years by the most, perhaps, offended person involved in this case - billionaire Mohammed Al-Fayed, the owner of the largest London department store Harrods, the Fulham football club and the Ritz hotel in Paris, the father of the one who died in this accident Dodi. He literally declared "war" on the British royal family and publicly called the instigator of the conspiracy to assassinate the son and princess of the queen's consort, the Duke of Edinburgh. The contractor is the British special services. It was Mohammed Al-Fayed who insisted on holding a trial with a jury, it was he who persistently demanded that the Duke of Edinburgh and Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, appear in court. The royal family was not summoned to court. British democracy, for all its enviable ripeness, is not yet ripe to issue subpoenas to its monarchs. At the trial, only the press secretary of the Duke of Edinburgh appeared, who presented to the investigation a hitherto unpublished, touching in its warmth correspondence between Diana and her father-in-law. About 260 witnesses appeared at the trial of the deaths of Diana and Dodi. The testimony by video link was given from the USA, France and Australia. The titled ladies of the court, Diana's friends, testified. Her butler Paul Burrell, who made himself a fortune out of fictions about the princess. Her lovers, who revealed to the whole world the details of their romance with the princess. The only survivor of the accident, a severely crippled bodyguard, Trevor Rhys-Jones. The pathologist who performed the autopsy of Diana and confirmed in court that there were no signs of the princess's pregnancy, but that it was not possible to detect them at a very short time. And therefore, this secret Diana took with her to the grave. Mohammed al-Fayed unveiled a monument to his son Dodi and Princess Diana at his London department store Harrods. The opening of the new monument is timed to the eighth anniversary of the deaths of Dodi and Diana in a car accident, according to the Guardian. The bronze Diana and Dodi are depicted dancing against the background of waves and the wings of an albatross, symbolizing eternity and freedom. According to Mohammed al-Fayed, this monument looks like a more appropriate memorial than the memorial fountain in Hyde Park. The sculpture was sculpted by Bill Mitchell, an artist who has worked for al-Fayd for forty years. At the unveiling of the monument, Mohammed al-Fayed said that he named this sculptural group "Innocent Victims". He believes that Dodi and Diana died in a rigged car accident, their untimely death was the result of a murder. "The monument has been erected here forever. Nothing has been done so far to perpetuate the memory of this amazing woman who brought joy to the world," said al-Fayed.

Princess Diana can rightfully be considered the star of the British monarchy. Neither before nor after her, no one from the royal family was so loved and adored by the subjects of the "crown" as she was. Her life still arouses great interest in the media and ordinary people, although a lot of time has passed since the death of the princess.

What do we know about Diana?

Spencer was born in the summer of July 1, 1961 in Norfolk. Diana Francis was of noble birth. Her mother and father were Viscounts and also maintained close ties with the English royal family.

Diana's father John had the same ancestral lineage as Churchill and also the Duke of Marlborough. They all came from the Spencer-Churchill family. The father of the future princess himself was Viscount Elthorp.

Only through the illegitimate but also recognized sons of King Charles II did Diana carry a part of the "royal blood". As a child, the future princess lived in Sandringham. The Viscount's daughter passed the primary educational stage at home.

Then the parents taught the girl at a private school near King's Line. A little later, after failures in her studies, she entered the Riddlesworth Hall School. At the age of eight, Diana experienced a divorce from her parents. She, her half-sisters and brother stayed with their father. Diana's father quickly had a new wife, but she could not establish contact with the children, so she played the role of an evil stepmother in their fate.

In 1975, Diana officially received the title of "lady". This event was overshadowed by the death of her grandfather. At the age of twelve, Diana Francis was sent to West Hill School. She studied poorly, only Diana's musical abilities aroused admiration.

In addition to her favorite music, Diana was fond of dancing. She adored these two activities, and excelled in the creative field..

In 1978, the girl moved to live in London. There she had her own home. As a very young girl, Diana loved to mess with the kids, so she got a job looking after the children in the Young England kindergarten as a teacher's assistant.

How did the lady meet the prince?

The first meeting of the future princess of Britain with Prince Charles took place when she was only 16 years old. In 1977, the prince came to her father's estate to play polo.

After a short courtship, Charles invited Diana to the royal yacht. In the early 1980s, Diana was honored to meet the royal family at the Balmoral family castle.

The press immediately drew attention to the genuine interest of the Prince of Wales in the young lady. Although the engagement of the young people was kept secret, all the details of their meetings, which the media could find out, were savored by journalists from different sides almost daily.

Under such pressure, Prince Charles made a hasty proposal to Diana. This happened on February 6, 1981. Diana was then the first Englishwoman to become a royal bride, and she was also the first bride to hold a paid position before becoming a princess.

Before the wedding, the girl settled in Buckingham Palace with the Queen Mother. The Queen herself presented Diana with an elegant and intricate brooch with sapphires as a sign of her affection.

Wedding celebration

The wedding of Diana and the nee Prince of Wales took place on July 29, 1981. The day was chosen taking into account the weather conditions so that nothing could overshadow the grand celebration. The wedding ceremony took place in St. Paul's Cathedral. Why not in the generally accepted for monarchs and nobility Westminster Abbey? There were just more places for guests in this cathedral. The church, of course, was not as pretentious as the abbey, but also captivated by its entourage and beauty.

So Lady Diana and the future queen of hearts of her subjects became the Princess of Wales. The festive ceremony was shown by all the world's media. The broadcast was watched by about 700 thousand viewers. About 650,000 more spectators were waiting for the couple on the street to enjoy the spectacle of the wedding procession.

The girl's wedding dress cost about 10 thousand pounds. The full length of her veil was also impressive, measuring 7.5 meters.

Destiny after the wedding

The question of whether Charles really loved Princess Diana remains open to this day. After the wedding, Lady Diana quit her job in kindergarten and took up the direct duties of the Princess of Wales.

She attended kindergartens, schools, charity events. Diana was very active in charity work. Helped those in need, supported AIDS patients. Its popularity among British citizens grew at a tremendous rate. Diana was literally considered an angel of mercy in the flesh. People began to call her our "Lady Di", thereby showing a special affection for her and her activities.

Every publication, every trip abroad attracted great attention to Charles' wife. Diana very quickly became a trendsetter, managing to bring a little glamor into the strict royal dress code.

Diana loved to be in the company of children and ordinary people, she spoke openly about the problems of the modern society, which earned herself even greater fame.

The princess could easily go for tea in establishments that she supported with her charitable activities. It was Diana who put an end to prejudice about AIDS patients by publicly shaking hands with a person infected with AIDS.

During her tenure as Charles' wife, Lady Dee received the following awards:

  • Queen Elizabeth II Order;
  • Grand Cross of the Order of the Dutch Crown;
  • Egyptian Order of Virtue.

The princess had many more unofficial awards.

Unrealizable dreams of happiness

The birth of the first son Charles and Lady Dee William occurred on June 21, 1982. Then on September 15, 1984, the second son of the couple Henry was born. Diana always dreamed of a big family.

From the very beginning, the Princess of Wales insisted on a completely normal upbringing for her sons. At her insistence, they were sent to simple kindergartens, then attended the average English school.

After the birth of Prince Henry, known today as Harry, the marriage of Diana and Charles fell apart. It is known that before the wedding, Charles told his friend that he did not love Diana yet, but, perhaps, he would be able to love her in the future.

Apparently, Charles, who was 13 years older than her, failed to fall in love with the girl. Then the couple began to live separately. After this event, the book by Andrew Morton "Diana: Her True Story" was published. The manuscript was published with the consent of the princess herself and with the participation of her friends.

So the world learned about Lady Dee's suicide attempts, about her experiences, loneliness, and also that she had been struggling with bulimia for many years. There was evidence in this book that Charles was still interested in his ex-girlfriend Camilla Parker. This hurt the Princess of Wales and ultimately led to the couple's divorce.

The Prince and Princess of Wales officially divorced in 1996.

The couple's divorce turned into a confrontation when Diana gave a candid interview to the BBC channel. In it, she sincerely spoke about the fact that Charles never wanted to be king, about how difficult it was for her to live in the royal family. After the divorce, Diana devoted a lot of time to her children. She appeared with them at all social events.

Diana Spencer always said that she wants to become a queen, but does not want the English throne, but wants to be the queen of human hearts. Her reputation after the divorce was slightly tainted by information about romance with other men. So Officer Hewitt basely betrayed his relationship with the princess by writing a book about them.

When the divorce proceedings ended, the princess switched from direct charity work to another job. She put all her dresses up for auction. Sales revenue amounted to over £ 3.5 million. Diana also visited her sick mother Teresa. After the divorce, the media relentlessly followed Lady Dee's activities, discussing her every move and every decision she made.

Divorce: before and after

Formally, the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles broke up much earlier than the divorce proceedings began. Evil tongues said that, even having married Diana, Charles did not end his relationship with his former girlfriend Camilla.

And Diana herself soon began an affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. There is information that they really loved each other, but could not withstand public pressure and parted. In addition, Khan's parents were against this relationship. Diana and Khasnat tried to save their relationship by leaving for Pakistan, but the lovers did not succeed there either.

Diana Francis Spencer's next relationship was the last in her life. So she was credited with an affair with the Egyptian billionaire Dodi al-Fayed. A couple was allegedly even seen on the same yacht. Only it was not possible to confirm this connection with indisputable facts.

Princess Diana's cause of death

The Princess of Wales died from injuries and injuries acquired in a car accident on August 31, 1997. Diana was driving in the car with her bodyguard and her "tabloid" lover Dodi al-Fayed. Everyone who drove through Paris in that ill-fated car, except for the bodyguard, was killed.

Even after a lengthy investigation, the police were unable to convincingly explain why the car accident happened..

The disaster happened when the driver attempted to break away from the reporters chasing Diana on motorcycles. In the tunnel, he lost control, and according to one of the versions, there was a collision.

Princess Diana was hospitalized, but she died after two hours in the hospital. Trevor Rea Jones (Lady Dee's bodyguard), recovering from his injuries, claimed that he did not remember anything about that accident. After the incident, his face had to be restored with the help of plastics almost completely. The fatal scene took place in a tunnel under the Parisian bridge Alma. Diana's car collided with a concrete support.

At the age of 36, the people's favorite Lady Dee passed away. A wave of sorrow swept across Britain and France. In honor of the princess, memorials were erected to which people laid flowers.

The princess was buried in her native Elthorp on a secluded island. Versions about her death have long agitated the hearts and minds of people. Someone believed that Diana's death was a direct consequence of a conspiracy against her. Others blamed the paparazzi for the persecution of the princess. Scotland Yard also published its version, where it was said that the alcohol in the driver's blood was three times higher than the norm, and the speed in the tunnel was also greatly exceeded.

Many songs and poems were written in memory of Diana. Elton John and Michael Jackson also dedicated their works to her. 10 years later, after the accident, a film was made about Princess Diana and the last hours of her life. In addition, today in many countries stamps with her image are issued. According to relentless statistics, Princess Diana has broken all records of popularity among British monarchs. She remained in the hearts of people as their true unofficial queen.

Princess Diana, 1988 (the year that is considered the official start of the split between Charles and Diana).

“Today I am sitting at my desk and desperately need a person who will hug me, cheer me up, help me become stronger and hold my head high,” Princess Diana wrote in her diary in 1993. She felt completely alone throughout her marriage to Charles, and even more so afterwards. Just think: Princess Diana would be alive now if she was born into a family at least a little like the one in which Kate Middleton was lucky enough to be born. In a family where parents are a reliable rear and unconditional love, and not a tangle of vices and vain ambitions.

Pope John Spencer

Diana Spencer's father gives an interview at the Buckingham Palace fence, February 24, 1981, with his second wife Raine next to him.

“What can you say about your daughter's upcoming wedding to Prince Charles? You are happy?" An excited TV reporter asked. Obese John Spencer involuntarily grunted into the camera with pleasure several times and, not laughing too aristocratically, replied: "Oh, yes, of course!"

This blitz interview took place on February 24, 1981, outside Buckingham Palace, on the day that Diana and Charles were officially announced. Earl Spencer was in seventh heaven with happiness - the project of his life was close to being realized.

Diana a month before the wedding, July 1981

Diana with her father, royal wedding, July 29, 1981

The fact that 19-year-old Diana was an infantile child, and Prince Charles was a sophisticated (including in love) 31-year-old man did not matter. Edward John Spencer himself got married at 30, and his wife was also 12 years younger, so the difference between Charles and Diana did not bother him. Just as the unhappy ending of her own misalliance did not frighten: Francis withstood 13 toxic years next to him and at 31 fled to another, accusing her husband of domestic tyranny and beatings (alas, the poor thing had no evidence, although Diana admitted in an interview that she saw like a father punches his mother in the face).

The main thing that John Spencer saw in Diana was that she was his last chance to intermarry with the Windsors.

Diana's older sister, Sarah and Prince Charles, 1977

According to the original plan, Charles was to get the eldest of the daughters - the lively and prettier Lady Sarah. As for Diana, she was being prepared for Andrew. Everything was so serious that the girl had a portrait of the youngest son of Elizabeth II on her bedside table, and the family nicknamed her "Duchess" ("Duch") - this title she would have received by marrying Andrew, Duke of York. For the same reason, the Spencer family practically spat on Diana's education. The future Duchess of York did not need it.

But it all went wrong.

Lady Sarah Spencer, eldest of three sisters

Prince Charles and Sarah Spencer were considered almost bride and groom

Sarah was already being taken seriously as the most likely candidate for Charles' bride when she allowed herself to comment to the press: "I don't care who I marry, the scavenger or the prince, as long as there is love between us." The girl just wanted to convey to the public that she was not next to the prince because of the titles. But it turned out crooked, and Charles, with the words “You just did something incredibly stupid,” struck Sarah off his list.

The Spencers urgently needed a spare bride. And the portrait of Andrew on Diana's nightstand was replaced with a photo of Charles.

Granny Ruth Fermoy

Diana's maternal grandparents. Ruth Fermoy's marriage was pure calculation

Diana's parents during the official announcement of their engagement. And Ruth arranged this marriage with a distant sight

Diana's parents' wedding: Francis Roche and Viscount Althorp, June 1954

Lady Fermoy hoped that her granddaughter would be more sensible than her mother in order to appreciate the efforts of the family. Lady Fermoy decisively erased her own daughter from life. The ungrateful girl dared to divorce Diana's father. And this is after so many efforts made by Ruth to pass off 18-year-old Francis as the most enviable groom ─ the future Earl Spencer. All members of the royal family attended their wedding, including Elizabeth II. And the wedding took place in Westminster Abbey (Francis then became the youngest bride ever married in this place). All for the sake of your beloved daughter? The true motives became clear when Francis tried to secure joint custody of the children after the divorce. Ruth ruthlessly sided with her son-in-law, slandering her daughter in court. In her mind, communication with the mother could harm the future of the girls. But the family had special plans for them. They stopped letting Francis on the doorstep, and the children were told that their mother had left them for another man. What damage such information will cause to the psyche of children, no one thought.

Family of Viscount Elthorp (future Earl Spencer) at the golden wedding of his parents (Diana's grandparents on her father's side). In the foreground is Diana, brother Charles, sisters Sarah and Jane. 1969 (after the official divorce of mother and father).

The only gesture of prudence Lady Fermoy showed after the official announcement of the engagement of Diana and Charles. “Honey, you must understand that their sense of humor, their way of life are different, and I don’t think they will suit you,” she told her granddaughter. But it's too late. Diana was poisoned by the illusions of her own chosenness. And all she did was refuse to invite her grandmother to the wedding. She was content with an invitation from Elizabeth the Elder.

Diana with her grandmother, Lady Ferma, and husband Charles in April 1983 (Diana is pregnant with her first child)

Even before her death, in 1993, Ruth Fermoy acted not as Diana's own grandmother, but as an adherent of the royal family. Already knowing that the end was near, she asked for forgiveness from Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother for having had a hand in Diana's marriage to Charles. Ruth lamented that she should have warned everyone from the very beginning about the "bad temper" of her granddaughter, who obviously went to her mother.

Mom Francis Shand Kid

Diana's mother at her wedding (in a carriage with Prince Philip, husband of Elizabeth II), July 29, 1981

Yes, they were often compared with each other - the mother also married very early and for a man who was 12 years older, they were both unhappy in marriage, and both came to the idea of ​​divorce by the age of 30. But that was where the similarities ended. “Mom had a cool personality. If my mother had been in my place, then Camilla would have ended up somewhere outside the UK right after the wedding, maybe even at the South Pole, ”Diana joked. Frances was selfish. And she knew how to make sacrifices for the sake of personal good. Even if the victims were their own children. “I could not understand: how could you leave the children? It is better to die than to leave your child, ”the princess would say later. But for Francis, the question of life and death never stood. At 31, she went to arrange her personal life, knowing that she was leaving four children without a mother.

Diana with her mother, son Harry and niece (daughter of the middle sister), September 1989

Diana with her mother at the wedding of her younger brother Charles, 1989

Diana with children, nephews and mother on vacation in Hawaii, 1990

Diana honestly tried to improve relations with her mother all the time while she was married to Charles. She invited her to the wedding. She invited me to all the important events in my life. And when Francis herself had another divorce in 1988 (her second husband left her for a younger woman), Diana dragged her mother to “lick her wounds” to her in Kensington Palace. In 1990, the princess took her mother on vacation to the Hawaiian Islands. But friendship and understanding between them never happened. And when it became clear that the marriage of Diana and Charles was rapidly moving towards divorce, Francis stepped aside to see how the affair would end. And then she started giving strange comments to the press. She was glad in an interview that Diana was released from the title of "Princess of Wales" (it was not entirely clear which aspect brought her joy - that Diana became free, or that she was deprived of the title of princess). Then she spoke rudely about her, having learned who her lover was. Did she have the right to criticize Diana for wanting to arrange her future? A few months before her death, Diana once again quarreled with her mother during a telephone conversation and stopped communicating with Francis altogether.

By the mid-90s, Diana realized that the only person who treats her with respect and understanding is her stepmother, Rain, whom she hated as a child simply for the very fact of her existence in her father's life. And then she contributed to the expulsion of the widow from the family estate. Raine was not vindictive, and in the last year of Diana's life, they communicated warmly. June 1997.

Brother Charles Spencer

At Diana's funeral, and now, 20 years after her death, her younger brother Charles Spencer repeats in a broken voice: "How I wish I could help her!" And then he gets in response from the former chef of the princess: “I'm sick of this. Where were you when she really needed you? You were never on her side. " Darren McGready is not alone. “I’m not going to sit and be silent while Diana’s younger brother rewrites history,” says former princess butler Paul Barell, supporting a colleague. In 2002, he handed over to the court the correspondence between Diana and Charles Spencer, dated 1993 - these letters became the best evidence of "fraternal" hypocrisy.

For a long time, Diana considered Charlie to be her closest person of all relatives (Diana and Charles in the garden, just the year their mother left them, 1967)

and while the boy was growing up, it probably was (Diana at her brother's prom in 1985)

In December 1992, Diana and the Prince of Wales officially announced their decision to separate. Diana desperately needed the opportunity to escape from London, gather her strength and "reboot". The best place seemed to her to Garden House, the house in which she was born and lived the carefree years of her childhood. Her father had already died by that time, her brother lived in Elthorp, the Spencer ancestral castle. Garden House, meanwhile, was empty, and Diana was absolutely sure that Charlie would not refuse her request for a temporary refuge in her home. In the beginning of 1993, she wrote to him about it. And in response she received an estimate - how much it would cost her to live in the estate, and what he expects from her besides the rent. However, while Diana was digesting the contents of the first letter, the second one arrived 2 weeks later. The brother changed his mind. And her presence at Garden House was now viewed as unwelcome. But he, of course, can help her find something else to rent. “I am very sorry that I cannot help my sister,” Charles Spencer concluded the message. He returned Diana's angry answer to her without opening the envelope.

At the wedding, Diana was adorned with the Spencer family tiara, 1981. In 1989, Diana's brother demanded that she return the family heirloom ...

... in order to give it to his bride (she also tried it on for a wedding, and with the same result - a toxic marriage, four children and a divorce), 1989

However, why did Diana suddenly decide that her brother would be on her side? 4 years before these events, Charles had already shown how cynical he can be in relation to a sister who did not meet the expectations of relatives. When it became clear that the case was heading for divorce, didn't her brother ask Diana to return the very "Spencer tiara" that adorned her head on her wedding day? It was hard to hurt. This tiara meant more to Dee than her favorite piece of jewelry. By the standards of the royal family, Diana was practically a dowry. And this tiara was a kind of symbol of her independence, the only impressive jewel that she brought with her to her marriage. There was a short quarrel between Diana and her brother. As it turned out, Charles decided to donate this tiara to his future wife, so that she would decorate her wedding dress with it. Double slap in the face. Diana put the tiara in a cardboard box and brought it down to the butler, telling Charles Spencer that he could pick her up at any time.

Charles Spencer at the opening of the exhibition dedicated to Diana, 2009

“For 20 years now I have been asking myself: what could I do? What a pity that I didn’t have time to help her ”─ shed tears in front of the ABC television lenses, Lady Dee's brother already in 2017.

“What hypocrisy! Charles Spencer forgot that some of us were there when he turned his back on Diana ”, ─ and these are the words of the former press secretary of Elizabeth II, Dickie Arbeiter, who, on duty, communicated with Diana throughout the princess's life at the Court.

"I interfered with everyone and always, I was unnecessary ... Of the whole host of relatives and friends around me, only my boys love me, and it is me, with all my shortcomings and advantages," Diana once said sadly. Even if the princess was not always honest, these words are pure and very bitter truth.

So, while the royal family, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary, once again "puffed" for the death of the "princess of human hearts", her blood relatives are rewriting history with enviable zeal and earn millions on souvenirs and an attraction called "Princess of Wales Memorial" in the family estate Elthorp (entrance, of course, is paid - 18.50 British pounds). The memory of Diana is beautifully monetized. Especially on anniversary dates. So, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the death of the princess, an exhibition of her outfits was organized in Elthorp. And now there is an exhibition of the best photographs of Lady Di, taken by Mario Testino. Diana's body is buried on an island where there is no access to the general public, but everyone can admire that place from afar, and look at the almost sacred waters washing the shores of the tomb of the people's princess. Of course, also for money. Earl Spencer recently invested several million pounds in the reconstruction of Elthorp and the princess's grave. Knowing that even during his sister's life he did nothing for her for nothing, one can imagine how much profit Charles Spencer is counting on this anniversary year.

Burial place of Princess Diana, top view (the princess's grave is located on an island in the center of the reservoir. 2009

Memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales in Elthorp Territory, 2009

“William and Harry are the only men in my life who did not let me down,” was how Lady Diana spoke of her sons. Having survived the scandalous betrayal of her husband, she could not trust him, so she devoted all of herself to raising two sons.


Princess Diana with sons William and Harry.

Both William and Harry were crazy about their mother in childhood, they remember her with warmth and tenderness today. Her mischievous nature did not give them rest, and sometimes Princess Diana was the instigator of the most daring antics. So, she gladly came to see how her beloved boys chase the ball across the football field, and her loving mother often secretly put sweets in Harry's leggings. Lady Dee sent her beloved boys funny postcards with warm words, and one day she unexpectedly invited Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell, supermodels, whose pictures adorned the room of teenager William, to Buckingham Palace (William was almost speechless and stumbled, rising up the stairs to your room.


Princess Diana is a loving mother.

The filming of the documentary was the first time that Harry and William decided to speak publicly about their mother. They admitted that frank conversations with the filmmakers became a kind of reflection, since the death of Diana is still a painful and not fully experienced event for both sons.

Princess Diana with her beloved sons.

Talking about mom, William and Harry willingly showed their childhood photos. Most of the pictures were taken by Diana herself, she loved to photograph her sons. These family chronicles have not been published before and will be a real gift for viewers.


Princess Diana with Prince Harry on the royal yacht.


Princess Diana with Prince Harry on vacation. Photo from the personal archives of the royal family.


Prince William and Prince Harry in police costumes.


Pregnant Princess Diana holds Prince William in her arms.


Prince William and Prince Harry. Photo from the personal archives of the royal family.


Princess Diana with her sons at the plane.

William and Harry are sure that it was their mother who raised them as they are now: open, sociable, natural. The only thing they really regret is that they lost their mother so early, did not have time to give her the love, tenderness and attention that she deserved. Harry, who spoke with his mother on the eve of the disaster, still cannot forgive himself that their last conversation was short and he, still a child, wanted to end it quickly. Harry assures that all the words Diana said at that moment, he remembered for the rest of his life.

Princess Diana with her sons.

Diana Francis Spencer The Princess of Wales is the first wife of Prince Charles of Wales (1981-1996), heir to the British throne. Also known as Lady Diana or Lady Dee.

So, here is a short biography of Princess Diana.

Princess Diana biography

Princess Diana was born on July 1, 1961 in Norfolk. She grew up and was brought up in an English aristocratic family. Her father, John Spencer, the Viscount Elthorp title holder, was a military and political leader. Mother Francis Shand Kaidd also came from an aristocratic family.

An interesting fact is that Princess Diana belonged to the same family as.

Childhood and youth

Diana spent all her childhood in Sandringham, where she received home education. She then studied at the elite Sealfield School, after which she continued her studies at Riddlesworth Hall.

The future princess had a rather docile nature, but she was distinguished by some stubbornness. The teachers recalled that Diana really liked and. In her drawings, she often depicted a father and mother who decided to divorce when she was only 8 years old.

Princess Diana as a child

Diana very painfully endured the separation of her parents. Having reached the age of 12, she was sent to study at the prestigious West Hill School for Girls.

During this period of her biography, Diana became seriously interested in music and dancing, but her studies did not cause much enthusiasm. According to some sources, exact sciences were difficult for her, which is why she repeatedly failed exams.

In 1977, Diana first met Prince Charles. It is curious that at this meeting the young people did not show any interest in each other.

In the same year, the girl was sent to study in. However, after staying in this country for a short time, the future princess returned home, because she felt strong nostalgia for her homeland.

In 1978, Diana received an apartment from her mother, in which she began to live with her 3 friends. The future princess was very fond of children, as a result of which she later got a job at a local kindergarten as an assistant teacher. She always remained simple and friendly, and also was not afraid to take on any job.

Prince Charles and the wedding

In 1980, Diana met again with Prince Charles, whose parents wanted to find him a worthy wife. It is worth noting that Queen Elizabeth was very worried that her son was romantically involved with Camilla Parker Bowles, who was legally married.

However, when romantic feelings flared up between Diana and Charles, the prince's relatives were delighted. They say that even Camilla was sincerely glad of this.


Diana Spencer and Prince Charles

Initially, the prince invited Diana to his yacht, after which he took her to Balmoral Palace to meet her relatives. Later, Charles made his beloved an offer, to which she agreed.

The engagement was officially announced on February 24, 1981. At the same time, the British were able to see the famous bride's ring - an expensive sapphire inlaid with 14 diamonds.

The wedding of Charles and Diana became the most expensive wedding ceremony in history. It took place in St. Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981. Before the wedding, a ceremonial drive through the streets of the capital was organized.

The members of the royal family rode in carriages accompanied by cavalry. Along the road along which the wedding procession was passing, about 600 thousand Britons gathered, wishing to see the bride and groom. An interesting fact is that Lady Diana was the first Englishwoman in the last 3 centuries to become the wife of the heir to the throne.


Diana and Charles wedding

The groom was dressed in the full dress uniform of a fleet commander, while the bride was wearing a luxurious white dress with an 8-meter veil. On Diana's head was a tiara adorned with precious stones.

The wedding ceremony was watched by about 750 million TV viewers around the world. In total, more than £ 3 million was spent on the wedding.

Divorce

Initially, there was a complete idyll between Prince Charles and Princess Diana, but later the family union cracked. Articles began to appear in the press, which talked about Charles's love affairs.

In particular, he continued to meet with Camilla Parker-Bowles, as a result of which Diana found it increasingly difficult to keep the family hearth.

An interesting fact is that the prince did not even try to hide his connections with his mistress. At the same time, Queen Elizabeth supported her son in every possible way, which further complicated the situation. This led to the fact that Diana also had a favorite in the person of James Hewitt, who was the horse riding coach.

In 1995, there were rumors that Princess Diana had an affair with a heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, whom she met by chance in the hospital. However, due to the different social status and official marriage of Diana, their relationship could not continue.

In 1996, Queen Elizabeth insisted on a divorce between her son and Princess Diana. Thus, their marriage lasted only 5 years. In this union, they had two boys - William and Harry.

After the divorce, Diana was repeatedly noticed in the company of the film producer and the son of the Egyptian billionaire Dodi al-Fayed. However, how close their relationship was is difficult to say.

Doom

On August 31, 1997, while on a trip to Princess Diana, she died in a car accident. Besides her, there were three other people in the car, including the driver. The car crashed into a concrete pillar as it passed under the Alma Bridge.


Princess Diana's wrecked car

Princess Diana passed away 2 hours later at a local hospital. Other passengers were also killed, besides the princess's bodyguard, who sustained serious head injuries.

The death of Lady Dee was a real shock not only for the British, but also for the inhabitants of the whole world. The princess's funeral ceremony took place on September 6. Diana Francis Spencer found peace in the Spencer family estate of Elthorp in Northamptonshire, on a small island.


Sea of ​​flowers at the palace of Princess Diana

At the moment, experts cannot agree on the true cause of the car accident.

  • Some investigators speculate that Diana's driver was trying to pull away from the car with the paparazzi.
  • According to another version, the accident could have been faked.

In fact, there are many assumptions and theories regarding the tragedy that happened.

10 years after the terrible accident, the police of Scotland Yard confirmed the fact of two times the speed limit on this section of the highway. In addition, the investigators announced that there was alcohol in the driver's blood, three times higher than the permissible norm.

Today, a copy of the torch of the New York Statue of Liberty, located near the site of the tragedy, has been turned into a spontaneous memorial to Princess Diana.

Memory

Lady Di, as many called the princess, enjoyed great love among her countrymen. She devoted a lot of time and effort to charity.

The woman periodically transferred large sums of money to various funds. In addition, she repeatedly provided material and moral assistance to ordinary people.

In 1998, Time magazine named Diana one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2002, according to a BBC poll, Diana was ranked # 3 in the list of the greatest Britons. Thanks to this, she was ahead of Queen Elizabeth and other monarchs.

The deceased princess was sung in songs by various famous performers, including Elton John, "Depeche mode" and others. 10 years after the tragedy, the premiere of the film took place, which told about the last day of Diana's life.

Perhaps in the future we will find out the true cause of the car accident that took the life of everyone's beloved Princess Diana.

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