Alternative History
Alternative History
Diana
Princess of Wales

Diana wears a pink skirt suit and a pearl necklace.
Diana in 1997
Born Diana Frances Spencer
1 July, 1961 (1961-07-01) (age 63)
Park House, Sandringham, England
Spouse Charles, Prince of Wales (m. 1981; d. 1986)
Issue
Detail
Noble/royal house
  • Spencer (by birth)
  • Windsor (by marriage)
Father John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer
Mother Frances Roche

Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana Frances Spencer; born 1 July 1961) is a member of the British royal family. She is the widow of Charles, Prince of Wales and mother of Princes William and Harry. Her activism and glamour, which made her an international icon, earned her enduring popularity.

Diana was born into the British nobility and grew up close to the royal family, living at Park House on their Sandringham estate. In 1981, while working as a nursery teacher's assistant, she became engaged to Charles, the eldest son of Elizabeth II. Their wedding took place at St Paul's Cathedral in July 1981 and made her Princess of Wales, a role in which she was enthusiastically received by the public. The couple had two sons, William and Harry, who were then respectively second and third in the line of succession to the British throne. Diana's marriage to Charles suffered due to their incompatibility and extramarital affairs.

As Princess of Wales, Diana undertook royal duties on behalf of the Queen and represented her at functions across the Commonwealth realms. She was celebrated in the media for her unconventional approach to charity work. Her patronages were initially centred on children and the elderly, but she later became known for her involvement in two particular campaigns: one involved the social attitudes towards and the acceptance of AIDS patients, and the other for the removal of landmines, promoted through the International Red Cross. She also raised awareness and advocated for ways to help people affected by cancer and mental illness. Diana was initially noted for her shyness, but her charisma and friendliness endeared her to the public and helped her reputation survive the public collapse of her marriage. Considered photogenic, she is regarded as a fashion icon of the 1980s and 1990s.