Princess Diana remains one of the most beloved figures in modern royal history. Known for her compassion, distinctive style and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, she often approached royal life in her own way.
From her childhood and education to her famous wedding, family life and charitable work, Diana’s story contains plenty of fascinating details that are often overlooked. She challenged some royal traditions, encouraged her sons to experience everyday life and used her public platform to bring attention to important causes.
Here are 10 surprising facts about Princess Diana that offer a closer look at the woman behind the iconic photographs and worldwide fame.
10. Her Sister Dated Prince Charles
Before Prince Charles married Diana, he briefly dated her older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer. Their relationship took place in the late 1970s and did not last long, but it eventually created an unusual connection between the Spencer family and the future king.
Sarah later described herself humorously as the person who helped introduce Charles and Diana. The relationship between Charles and Sarah ended before his courtship of Diana developed, but the sisters remained close and Sarah later accompanied Diana on royal engagements.
9. Diana Wasn't Known for Academic Excellence
Diana's academic journey was not particularly distinguished. She was educated at home during her early childhood before attending boarding schools, including Riddlesworth Hall and West Heath School.
Although she did not become known for outstanding academic results, Diana developed interests and talents outside the classroom. She enjoyed swimming, diving, hockey and dancing, and her personality and ability to connect with people would eventually become some of her greatest strengths.
8. She Dreamed of Becoming a Ballerina
One of Diana's lifelong passions was ballet. She dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina, but her height made a professional career difficult.
Even after becoming a member of the royal family, Diana continued supporting ballet and regularly attended performances, fundraisers and dance-related events. She also remained interested in taking dance classes herself, showing that her love of ballet lasted well beyond her childhood.
7. She Chose Her Engagement Ring From a Catalog
Diana's famous sapphire engagement ring has become one of the most recognizable pieces of royal jewelry in the world. Rather than having a completely custom ring created, Diana selected the design from a Garrard catalog.
The ring features a large oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds and became closely associated with Diana's distinctive style. Years later, the famous ring was worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, keeping its connection to the royal family alive.
6. Her Wedding Dress Had an Exceptionally Long Train
Princess Diana's wedding dress became one of the most memorable bridal gowns in royal history. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the elaborate gown featured dramatic details, intricate decoration and an exceptionally long train.
The dress required extensive preparation and fittings, while its design was kept closely guarded before the wedding. Diana also incorporated traditional wedding elements, including something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
5. She Took a More Hands-On Approach to Raising William and Harry
Diana wanted her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to experience more of everyday life than might normally be expected of young members of the royal family.
She took them to places such as amusement parks and restaurants while also introducing them to people experiencing homelessness and other difficult circumstances. Diana believed that exposing her children to different aspects of society would help them understand the lives and emotions of ordinary people.
Her approach helped shape the public image of William and Harry and reflected Diana's belief that royal children should remain connected to the wider world.
4. She Auctioned Many of Her Famous Dresses for Charity
The auction attracted huge public interest and raised millions of dollars for charity, with proceeds supporting causes including breast cancer and AIDS-related organizations.
Several of the gowns had become iconic through Diana's public appearances, making the auction both a major fundraising event and an important moment in fashion history.
3. She Was Buried at Althorp Park
Following Diana's death in 1997, her funeral at Westminster Abbey was watched by millions around the world. Her final resting place, however, was deliberately made much more private.
Diana was buried on the grounds of Althorp, the Spencer family's ancestral estate in Northamptonshire. Her burial site is located on an island in the Oval, surrounded by water and trees.
The private setting allows her family to remember her away from the enormous public attention that surrounded her life and death.
2. Diana Chose Not to Include the Word "Obey" in Her Wedding Vows
Diana made a notable change to the traditional royal wedding vows when she married Prince Charles. Instead of promising to "obey" her husband, she chose the wording "to love, comfort, honor and keep."
The decision attracted attention because the traditional wording had long been associated with royal and religious weddings. Diana's choice reflected her independent personality and became another example of how she was willing to approach royal traditions differently.
Years later, Diana's daughter-in-law Catherine also omitted the word "obey" from her wedding vows, continuing a modern approach to royal marriage ceremonies.
1. She Spoke Publicly About Her Personal Struggles
One of the most significant aspects of Diana's public life was her willingness to speak openly about difficult personal experiences. She discussed the emotional pressures she faced during her marriage and her struggles with bulimia and depression.
At a time when conversations about mental health and eating disorders were far less common in the public eye, Diana's openness helped bring these subjects into mainstream discussion.
Her willingness to talk about vulnerability, emotional difficulties and the importance of seeking help contributed to the enduring image of Diana as a royal figure who was willing to show her human side.
That combination of compassion, openness and independence helped make Princess Diana one of the most recognizable and influential members of the British royal family.