Princess Diana Frances Spencer

Diana Frances Spencer, was born on July 1, 1961, at Park House near Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the youngest daughter of the then Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, now the late Earl Spencer and the Hon Mrs Shand-Kydd. She had two elder sisters, Jane and Sarah, and a younger brother, Charles.
The root of Diana's insecurity lay in her upbringing, despite its privileges. Her family was living on the Queen's estate at Sandringham where her father had rented Park House. He had been a royal equerry for both King George VI and the young Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen had been the chief guest when Diana's parents were married in 1954; the ceremony at Westminster Abbey was one of the social events of the year.

But Diana was only six when her parents split up. She would always remember the crunch of her mother's departing footsteps on the gravel drive. The children became pawns in a bitter custody dispute.

Lady Diana was sent to boarding school, eventually attending West Heath Public School in Kent. Here she excelled at sport, particularly swimming, but she failed all her O levels. Nevertheless, in later years she recalled fond schoolday memories, and supported her old school.

After school, she worked in London, first as a nanny, occasionally a cook, and then as an assistant at the Young England kindergarten in Knightsbridge.

Her father had moved to Althorpe near Northampton on becoming the eighth Earl Spencer. Her parents had divorced and there was a new Countess Spencer, daughter of the romantic novelist Barbara Cartland. But soon it was Diana who was to become the celebrated member of the family.

Rumours spread that her friendship with the Prince of Wales was blossoming into something more serious. Press and television besieged her at every turn. But her days at work were numbered. The Palace tried in vain to play down the speculation. And on February 24, 1981 the engagement became official.

However, there were doubts even then about whether they were really compatible. They appeared to have little in common, and there was the age difference: the Prince was 13 years older than Diana. When journalists asked them during the official engagement photo call whether they were in love, both answered "yes" - with the Prince adding "whatever love means". Charles, it emerged later, had confided to a friend that he did not yet love Diana but was sure he could.