The photographer recognized that he had captured something unique in this picture, but he didn’t fully appreciate its uniqueness until he examined the negative image.
Princess Diana, often referred to as the People’s Princess, is remembered for her loving and compassionate nature. She is regarded as a figure who transformed Britain and the monarchy. Her engagement to Prince Charles, the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and the presumed successor to the British throne, thrust her into the public eye. Tragically, her life ended prematurely, with many attributing her death to the relentless pursuit of paparazzi.
The following images provide a different perspective on Diana and serve as a poignant reminder of why she was adored by so many.
Diana’s engagement ring was a 12-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold. Unlike other engagement rings worn by the British royal family, which are typically custom-made, Diana’s ring was purchased from a Garrard jewelry collection catalog. This iconic ring eventually found its way to Kate Middleton when Prince William proposed to her with it.
On the day of her wedding, Diana mistakenly referred to Prince Charles as “Philip Charles Arthur George” instead of “Charles Philip” due to her excitement and nervousness.
Diana initially struggled to wear the tiara because it gave her migraines, as revealed by her brother, Charles Spencer. He mentioned in an interview that she attended the semi-private evening party and suffered from a severe headache due to being unaccustomed to wearing a tiara all day.
Diana’s wedding dress, while exquisite, posed a challenge for her because the designers didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be to walk with its 25-foot train. Her dress appeared slightly wrinkled when she entered the carriage, which gave it a slightly rumpled appearance.
Shortly after their engagement, when asked if they were in love with each other, Charles responded with, “Whatever ‘in love’ means,” while Diana confidently replied, “Of course.”
The sketches of Diana’s wedding dress, which were later torn up to prevent anyone from catching a glimpse of the design, are displayed.
Charles and Diana received unique wedding gifts, including a handcrafted porcelain centerpiece and an engraved Steuben glass bowl from the Reagans. Among their other gifts were gloves made from silk that was 100 years old and a timepiece adorned with diamonds and sapphires.
It was later revealed that Charles and Diana were distant 16th cousins, both descending from Henry VII of the Tudor dynasty.
Photographs captured Charles and Diana during their honeymoon, and according to a lip reader at the time, the newlyweds reportedly quipped, “The honeymoon was the ideal opportunity to catch up on sleep.”
The family portrait taken on October 6, 1984, at Kensington Palace is a stunning reminder of Princess Diana’s timeless beauty. Many consider it one of the most beautiful photos ever taken of her.