Princess Diana’s Life in Photos: Remember the Royal on the 26th Anniversary of Her Death

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October 26, 2023 11:47AM EDT

Princess Diana

Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Tragedy struck when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash on Aug. 31, 1997. Remember the royal’s life in photos here.

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Princess Diana’s Life in Photos

Princess Diana’s Life in Photos — Princess Diana was just a young school teacher when she became engaged to Prince Charles in 1981. At 20, she stepped into the spotlight as the Princess Of Wales. As a royal, she became known for her fresh, fashionable style and dedicated activism and was beloved by many.

She would have two children, Prince William and Prince Harry, with Charles but the couple’s relationship became strained. They separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996. Tragically, Diana died in a car crash the next year, in Aug. of 1997. She was only 36 years old.

Here, Lady Diana Spencer appears in a portrait from 1980. She had a delicate smile while wearing her short blonde hair in a flipped bob. Her outfit consisted of a green sweater atop of flouncy white shirt. Gold earrings completed the look.

Want to see more photos of Lady Diana Spencer through the years? Look through our gallery for more.

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Princess Diana In 1980

Princess Diana In 1980 — Lady Diana Spencer is seen in 1980 outside of her London apartment. It was before she wed Charles.

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Lady Diana Spencer In Red

Lady Diana Spencer In Red — Lady Diana Spencer smiles while outside her flat in Coleherne Court, Kensington, London in 1980. She wore a smart red cardigan and pencil skirt as she got in a car and was whiskey away.

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Princess Diana In The Grass

Princess Diana In The Grass — Lady Diana Spencer, then Prince Charles’s girlfriend, is pictured at the Kindergarten in St. Georges Square, Pimlico, London, where she works. For someone who began her life in the spotlight as “Shy Di,” Princess Diana became an unlikely, revolutionary during her years in the House of Windsor. She helped modernize the monarchy by making it more personal, changing the way the royal family related to people.

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Lady Diana Spencer Works As A Nursrey School Assistant

Lady Diana Spencer Works As A Nursrey School Assistant — Lady Diana Spencer seen working as a nursery school assistant at the Young England Kindergarten, Pimlico, London in 1980. She was a natural with kids.

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Princess Diana Heads To Work

Princess Diana Heads To Work — Princess Diana looked sharp in a white sweater and blue shirt while heading to work in 1980. She accessorized with pearls and a scarf.

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Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer In Scotland

Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer In Scotland — Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer enjoy Scotland together in May of 1981. They were married just two months later.

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Princess Diana At The Royal Ascot

Princess Diana At The Royal Ascot — Lady Diana Spencer attends the Royal Ascot horse race in Berkshire, Britain in Jun. of 1981. She was radiant in red stripes.

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Princess Diana At The Wimbledon Tennis Championships

Princess Diana At The Wimbledon Tennis Championships — Lady Diana Spencer claps for the players at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in Jul. of 1981. She was stunning in a blue, white and red floral wrap dress.

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Princess Diana Watches Polo

Princess Diana Watches Polo — Princess Diana watches a polo match in 1981. It was before the marriage.

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Princess Diana & Prince Charles Announce Their Engagement

Princess Diana & Prince Charles Announce Their Engagement — Britain’s Prince Charles and the then-Lady Diana Spencer pose on the grounds of Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement. She wore blue while he was in dapper grey.

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Wedding of Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer

Wedding of Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer — Prince Charles and Princess Diana are wed at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Jul. 29, 1981. She looked radiant in her puff-sleeved gown, carrying a cascading jasmine bouquet.

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Prince Charles & Princess Diana At The Premiere Of ‘For Your Eyes Only’

Prince Charles & Princess Diana At The Premiere Of ‘For Your Eyes Only’ — Prince Charles and then-Lady Diana Spencer attend the premiere of the James Bond flick ‘For Your Eyes Only’ on Jun. 24, 1981. She wore a darling polka dot and spaghetti strap dress.

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Princess Diana At The Premiere Of ‘E.T.’

Princess Diana At The Premiere Of ‘E.T.’ — Princess Diana is so chic in black during the royal premiere of ‘E.T.: The Extraterrestrial’ on Dec. 10, 1982. She carried a metallic clutch and wore a jeweled choker.

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Charles & Diana Go To Australia

Charles & Diana Go To Australia — Princess Diana of Wales glows in cerelum blue while arriving at Canberra Airport, in Australia, for a visit to the state capital with husband Charles. It was Mar. 24, 1983.

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Princess Diana In Australia

Princess Diana In Australia — Princess Diana stuns in pink during a royal tour of Australia in Apr. of 1983. She wore a diamond diamante and sapphire necklace during the state visit.

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Princess Diana In Canada

Princess Diana In Canada — Princess Diana visits Canada in June of 1983. She wore a ruffled dress with a metallic belt and a dazzling diamond tiara.

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Princess Diana in 1983

Princess Diana in 1983 — Princess Diana looked gorgeous in this red & white polka dot dress with a red jacket on top, a red & white hat, a pearl choker necklace & red heels while on the Royal Tour Visit Of Australia in 1983.

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Princess Diana In 1984

Princess Diana In 1984 — Princess Diana watched Charles play polo in 1984. She was in a preppy plaid bloude and pleated skirt with her signature backswept locks.

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Princess Diana Kisses Her Brother

Princess Diana Kisses Her Brother — Sibling love. Princess Diana gives her brother Viscount Althorpe (now Earl Spencer) a smooch outside San Lorenzo restaurant In London in 1990.

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Princess Diana In Argentina

Princess Diana In Argentina — Princess Diana is simply stunning in red during a Nov. 1995 visit to Argentina. She was there attending a $270-a-head dinner at the Palais De Correos to raise funds for the Apli Medical Charity.

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