30 Rare Pics Of Princess Diana
Princess Diana was one of the most famous and pictured of women in the world! While it seems like her every move was documented in the ’80s and ’90s by paparazzi, there are many vintage and rare pictures that have been widely unseen by the public providing a more intimate look into her life. It was incredibly sad when she died, and many blame the insane tabloid culture for her death.
Known as “The People’s Princess,” Lady Diana will be forever remembered not only for her beauty and fashion sense but also for her humanitarian work and kindness. She was one of the first members of the Royal Family to advocate for AIDS prevention and treatment. She visited Africa numerous times to try to help those in need. This was extra special because at this time in history many people held negative stereotypes about AIDS and AIDS sufferers. Moreover, Princess Diana also very much supported educational causes and helped many children in need.
Diana as a person was clearly amazing, as was her fashion sense. She had a number of classy, elegant and progressive looks. Many of her outfit choices became trends around the world, and how can we forget her hair? Even her new haircuts made headlines. It was everything from her hair, to her smile, to her wardrobe to her as a person that made her so special. She also made royal history by intentionally breaking some rules of Buckingham Palace. For example, she was the first member of the royal family to say her traditional wedding vows without the word “obey.” Meghan Markle followed suit at her wedding, but it was Diana who did it first! Besides that, who could forget the epic wedding between Prince Charles and Princess Diana? It seemed like everyone in the universe watched the two get married. Her wedding dress was made in secret, and still to this day her train in the longest in royal history. She led such an interesting life, of course, we want to see more of her despite her passing!
So, while it seems like Princess Diana or Lady Diana Spencer was always in the spotlight, there are a number of rare photos that give an intimate glimpse into her life. We compiled 30 of the most intriguing rare photos that show a special side of Diana before her life came to an end:
A Whirlwind Romance
Despite media reports, the truth is Charles and Diana didn’t know each other that well before they walked down the aisle. Their engagement was announced after they had gone on only 12 dates!
A Whirlwind Romance
A National Holiday
Their wedding day was epic and it was officially declared a national holiday. The date the two wed was July 29, 1981. UK citizens were so overjoyed by the wedding and wanted it to be an official holiday so they could take part in the celebration.
A National Holiday
Let Them Eat Cake
The couple’s celebration was super extravagant. Did you know they had a total of 27 wedding cakes? The official cake was designed and made by David Avery. He was the head baker at the Royal Naval cooking school. In 2014 a piece of the 33-year-old cake was actually auctioned off for $1,375.
Let Them Eat Cake
The Secret Dress
The specifics about Diana’s dress were intentionally kept secret from the press. She and the royal family only wanted the dress to be revealed: “the moment [Diana] stepped into the glass coach at Clarence House.” Designers made a total of three dresses for Diana, just in case word got to the media before the big day.
The Secret Dress
In The Details
Diana’s wedding dress still holds the record for the longest train in royal wedding history! It was adorned with over 10,000 mothers of pearl sequins and pearls. The most amazing part? The 25-foot-long train. We can’t forget about the silk-taffeta custom-designed train that reportedly cost over $115,000.
In The Details
Ring the Bells
Diana’s wedding details were surrounded by controversy. Did she know she actually selected her own engagement ring from a catalog? Most royal engagement rings are custom designed, but Diana chose her ring which consisted of 14 solitaire diamonds around a 12-carat sapphire set in white gold from a Garrard jewelry collection catalog. Since her death, it has been passed on to Kate Middleton.
Ring The Bells
Independent Woman
Diana was the first royal bride to not follow royal protocol in regards to her wedding vows. In general, royal brides are expected to read traditional wedding vows. Diana removed the word “obey” when she recited her wedding vows. This was a huge deal and made headlines. Kate and William actually followed suit when they wed in 2011.
Independent Woman
Wasting Away
The stress of the wedding was almost too much for Princess Diana to bear! She seemed stressed and it showed. She lost quite a few pounds before her big day. It caused issues with the fitting of her dress. She actually had 15 lengthy fittings to get Diana’s dress to fit properly. “Every time she turned up for a fitting, she had lost more weight,” noted Elizabeth Emmanuel in an interview. “We put it down to nerves. But it did make it incredibly difficult for us to get on with making the dress.” The morning of the wedding she was actually sewed into the dress.
Wasting Away
Early Troubles
Charles also had some nerves. According to Sally Beddel Smith (royal biographer) in her book about Prince Charles, she stated he was still hopelessly in love with his ex, Camilla Parker-Bowers. He was pressured by his father to cut ties with her and wed Diana. Smith claims the Prince actually cried the night before he married Diana. Charles very publicly rekindled his affair with Camilla after Prince William and Harry were born.
Early Troubles
Just Like Cinderella
The dress wasn’t the only concern for designers. Diana is a little taller than others, so she had to have lower hells. Cobbler Clive Shilton explained, “Her main concern was that she wouldn’t appear taller than Prince Charles, and because she was very tall — 5ft 10in — the shoes would have to have a low heel.” Each slipper was very beautiful and detailed. Each one of a kind silk slipper was covered in 542 sequins and 132 pearls and had a “C” and “D” with a love heart painted on the shoes’ hidden arch. We guess the shoes took 6 months to complete! Can you believe that?
Just Like Cinderella
The Nerves!
Diana was so nervous when she made it to the altar she called her future husband by the wrong name! She called him Philip Charles Arthur George instead of just Charles Philip!
The Nerves
Watched by Millions
The royal wedding was certainly an international spectacle. It was watched by over 3,500 guests! It was broadcasted in 74 countries and watched by 750 million people worldwide! It is still the most watched royal wedding in history!
Watched By Millions
The Forgotten Kiss
The Prince has so filled with nerves on her special day it was pretty obvious! The bride and groom are supposed to seal their vows with a kiss, but Prince Charles was so nervous he actually forgot to kiss Diana at the altar! The two later kissed on the balcony as millions watched and cheered!
The Forgotten Kiss
Working Girl
Before Diana was royalty, she lived and worked just like we all do. She was the first royal bride to have a paying job before her engagement. For example, she was a kindergarten teacher assistant before she was engaged.
Working Girl
Ex in Attendance
Diana was reportedly very aware of Charles’ feelings for Camilla. She was invited to the wedding, and Diana accepted that. She did, however, refuse to have her attend the more exclusive wedding breakfast that occurred before the nuptials.
Ex In Attendance
Train Troubles
Diana’s 25-foot train was obviously a little hard to walk in. It ended up causing some problems on the wedding day. The wedding dress designers didn’t assume that the size of the carriage she would be riding in. The dress and its train ended up being a little-crushed inside the carriage because of this. When she exited the carriage, there were visible wrinkles on her dress and the train. Whoops!
Train Troubles
Tiara in Training
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, said that her elaborate tiara actually gave her a headache! He said in an interview, “In the evening we all went to a sort of semi-private party and she was there and she seemed incredibly relaxed and happy and I just remember she had a cracking headache too because she wasn’t used to wearing a tiara all morning.” Diana wore the Spencer Tiara, which had been in Diana’s family for almost a century anyway on her special day.
Tiara In Training
Red Flag
There was some trouble in paradise from the start. There are quite a few examples of Charles hesitation with his marriage to Diana. For example, when their engagement was confirmed in 1981, a reporter asked the two if they were in love. Diana said, “Of course,” while Charles said, “Whatever ‘in love’ means.”
Red Flag
Another Love
We have another wedding fail. Did you know the Princess spilled an entire bottle of perfume on her dress when she was trying to tab some on herself? It was her favorite scent by Quelques Fleure. The mistake actually left a stain on the dress that the princess covered with her hand and her bouquet throughout the ceremony.
Another Love
Heightened Security
Security was a big issue on their wedding day. According to The New York Times, the security measures reportedly cost up to $110 million!
Heightened Security
Safety First
The press was incredibly desperate to sneak some pictures of Diana’s dress. As we mentioned she and the dress designers (the Emanuals) took unprecedented security measures when designing the dress. They apparently ripped up sketches after showing them to Diana just in case. They also installed a safe in their studio to keep the designs safe and in secret.
Safety First
Wedding Gifts
The duo got a number of awesome gifts including from none other than The Reagans! They sent the royal couple an engraved Steuben glass bowl and also a handmade porcelain centerpiece! Both gifts were just lovely! This is just one of many amazing gifts they received. They also got a special whiskey from Scotland, a matching diamond and sapphire watch, and even 100-year-old silk mittens!
Wedding Gifts
Misery Uncovered
Despite her big smile, Diana had a bit of misery on the day of her wedding. There was previously unseen footage that was released in 2017. It shows the Princess looking quite sad as she is sitting and talking to her friend, Peter Settlen. The footage showed her describing her wedding day as “the worst day of my life.” She added, “If I could write my own script I would have my husband go away with his woman and never come back.” She was referring to Camilla.
Misery Uncovered
Distant Relations
One interesting fact that was only revealed after the pair wed, was that Charles and Diana were distantly related. They were actually distant cousins! Both Diana and Charles were 16th cousins once removed as they were both descendants of Tudor King, Henry VII. Pretty interesting, right?
Distant Relations
The Honeymoon
The couple seemed like they needed some much-needed quality time together before they embarked on their 14-day honeymoon. They took a cruise on the Mediterranean. In an uncovered piece of correspondence, “The honeymoon was a perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep…”
The Honeymoon
Dark Truth
While many speculated Diana Spencer’s excessive weight loss was due to nerves, new video footage reveals a more sinister story. Charles allegedly made a comment to Diana that “set something off” in her. He grabbed her waist and said, “Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?” Perhaps it was this comment that led Diana to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. She reportedly went from a 29-inch waist all the way down to 23.5 inches before her big wedding day.
Dark Truth
A Hidden Gift
Charles apparently made a number of insensitive comments. This is part of the reason it was very hard for Diana to ignore his relationship with Parker-Bowels. Camilla and the Prince had nicknames for each other: Fred and Gladys. Also, just weeks before the wedding, Charles gave Camilla a bracelet with G and F inscribed on it. Diana discovered this later. Can you believe Diana still allowed Camilla to come to the wedding?
A Hidden Gift
The Venue
The wedding between Charles and Diana took place at the St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Lady Diana left the Clarence House and was taken to the ceremony in a beautiful coach. It was one of few royal weddings to not take place at the royal church at Westminster Abbey.
The Venue
Loving Legacy
Despite all the drama, Diana will always be remembered as a Princess of the People. She was a gracious person who is absolutely beautiful. She had a big heart for charity and will remain forever as an icon. Due to the recent wedding of her youngest son, Harry, many have been inspired to reflect on the life of the beloved Princess Diana.
Loving Legacy
Wedding Day Kiss
This photo was taken immediately after the wedding ceremony. In this picture, you see the royal couple is sharing an intimate kiss while on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Wedding Day Kiss
Honeymoon in Scotland
There are a number of pictures of the couple looking stylish and happy. Some question how authentic these pictures are. As you know, there was quite a bit of conflict between Diana and Charles. Nonetheless, here is a picture of the two from 1981 while they were on their honeymoon in Scotland.
Honeymoon In Scotland
Parliament Opening
In this picture, Diana is seen looking totally stunning while attending the opening of the Parliament. This picture was taken in 1982.
Parliament Opening
After William’s Christening
This picture has to be one of our favorites! Princess Diana is here holding her son, Prince William. The picture of the entire family was taken after William’s christening on August 4, 1982.
After Williams Christening
Riding In A Land Rover
In this pic, Lady Diana is riding in a huge Land Rover. She is actually in Austrailia!
Riding In A Land Rover
Holding Prince William
Here Charles and Diana are proudly showing off Prince William outside of Kensington Palance. This cute pic was snapped on February 1, 1983.
Holding Prince William
Sitting In The Garden At Kensington Palace
Here you see a very young Prince William! He was only 18 months old when this picture was taken in Kensington Palance.
Sitting In The Garden At Kensington Palace
In New Zealand
The Royals are pictured here in New Zealand. They are holding Prince William in Auckland.
In New Zealand
Rubbing Noses
Isn’t this the sweetest picture? Here you see Diana rubbing noses in New Zealand in 1983. How cute!
Rubbing Noses
Wearing the Queen Mary Tiara
Don’t you want one? Here you see Princess Diana showing off her Tiara. This picture was taken in 1983 in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Wearing The Queen Mary Tiara
Ayers Rock
This picture was taken back in 1983 at Ayers Rock. The duo was on an official tour of the country.
Ayers Rock
With A Jigsaw Puzzle
Back on October 22, 1985, Diana helped Prince William with a jigsaw puzzle. Luckily, this pic was taken to capture the moment perfectly.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Dancing In Melbourne
Lady Diana was well known for her dancing skills. You see here in 1985 enjoying herself while dancing. She is in Melbourne, Austrailia.
Dancing In Melbourne
Dancing With Wayne Sleep
Princess Diana wanted to surprise her husband when she performed a dance with Wayne Sleep. He had no idea!
Dancing With Wayne Sleep
Highgrove House
Lady Diana is relaxing at the Highgrove House. This picture was taken on July 18, 1986.
Highgrove House
In Saudi Arabia
Lady Diana is attending a dinner that was thrown by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia! It was taken on November 17, 1986.
In Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
In this pic, Prince Charles and Diana are watching Indonesian tribal dancers. This picture was snapped on November 5, 1989.
Indonesia
Niagara Falls
In 1991, Diana was with her sons enjoying a boat ride in Niagra Falls, Ontario. Isn’t this one adorable?
Niagara Falls
Her Royal Majesty
Isn’t this pure royal magic? Diana and the Queen are all smiled outside Clarence House in London. This picture was taken on August 4, 1987.
Her Royal Majesty
Cannes Film Festival In 1987
This picture was taken at the 40th annual Cannes Film Festival. We just love this one! It was taken on May 15, 1987.
Cannes Film Festival In 1987
Total AIDS Advocate
Lady Diana was well known for her humanitarian work. Here is a picture of her with an AIDS patient. The photographer was actually asked not to reveal the face of the AIDS patient. This picture was taken in 1987.
Total AIDS Advocate
Another Kyoto Pic
This HAS to be one of our favorite looks of all time! Diana is seen in an epic Japanese Kimono during her 1986 visit to Kyoto.
Another Kyoto Pic
With Nancy Reagan
We strongly approve of these powerful and strong women! And guess what? You get two of them in this picture! Diana is seen with Nancy Regan at the Springfield Drug Rehabilitation Center in Virginia.
With Nancy Reagan
Mother Teresa And Diana Chatting
This picture was taken on February 19, 1992. Mother Teresa is seen talking with Diana when the two are in Rome.
Mother Teresa And Diana Chatting
Taj Mahal
This picture is actually making new headlines! This one was recently reenacted by members of the current royal family. The original pic was taken during a turbulent time in Diana’s marriage. She is seen sitting all alone outside the Taj Mahal in 1992.
Taj Mahal
VJ Commemoration
Here the entire family is seen together to commemorate VJ Day. This picture was taken on August 19, 1995 in London.
VJ Commemoration
Leaving A Health Club In London
In this rare picture Diana is seen leaving her health club. She looks great and like she totally enjoyed her workout.
Leaving A Health Club In London
London
Lady Diana is seen here arriving in a London Hospital. This pic is from March 6, 1996.
London
Washington, D.C.
First Lady of the US, Hillary Clinton, is seen attending a fund-raising benefit in Washington D.C. with Princess Diana. This fundraiser was meant to support breast cancer research. It was taken on September 24, 1996.
With Hilary Clinton In Washington D.C.
Anti-Land Mine Activist
Princess Diana was asked to wear protective gear when she was visiting Angola. Why? The country was deeply impacted by landmines. Lady Diana was trying to help with the terrible situation back in 1997.
Anti Land Mine Activist
Pakistan
This picture was taken on March 23, 1997. Princess Diana is in Pakistan on an official tour. She was visiting a hospital.
Pakistan In 1997
Austrailia
Lady Diana is looking lovely while visiting Footscray Park near Melbourne. This picture was taken on January 27, 1988.
Austrailia