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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rare, Candid Photos of Princess Diana
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. So much is known about the late Princess Diana. She lived much of her life in the public eye and spoke about it with remarkable candor, from her marriage to then-Prince Charles to the instability she experienced as a child of divorce. Even so, there are still aspects of her life that are less explored—like her childhood and her early jobs before becoming the Princess of Wales. These images share another side of Diana, the private person underneath the beloved public figure. 1962 On the occasion of her first birthday, a newly one-year-old Diana Spencer was sat on a blanket at her home at Park House, Sandringham. So while she wasn't born into the Royal Family, she was a member of British nobility and grew up very near to them. 1963 Peering out from an old-fashioned pram at Park House, Sandringham, Diana would only have been one or two years old here. She was the fourth of five children (her older brother, John, died shortly after he was born; her younger brother Charles was born in 1964). 1963 According to the original caption, "Princess Diana aged two at Park House in Sandringham, July 1963." There was substantial strain between Diana's parents due to their desire for a male heir, which would later contribute to their eventual divorce (even though they eventually did have a son). 1964 A toddler Diana pushed a pram wearing a red quilted hooded jacket and blue trousers (as well as some darling checkered socks and matching red shoes). Fun fact: the Spencers leased their house from Queen Elizabeth, whom Diana called "Aunt Lillibet" from childhood onward. 1965 A portrait of the young Diana, who would have been roughly four when this photo was taken, showed the young future royal as a self-composed child. Like many of the nobility, Diana was first home-schooled by a governess before she was sent to school several years later. 1969 This photo was taken in 1969, when Diana would have been around eight. She was only seven when her parents divorced, and custody of the children was a particular source of contention between the acrimonious couple (including Diana's father refusing to let her go live with her mother). 1970 Per the caption, "In this picture, taken in summer, 1970, a barefoot Lady Diana poses with a croquet mallet while on holiday in Itchenor, West Sussex." Probably unsurprisingly, Diana excelled at many things, including piano and ballet, but she actually wasn't an A-grade student. 1971 Informally among the family, Diana was referred to as "Duch" for her duchess-like attitude from childhood onward (which would prove to be quite prophetic, all things considered). This was taken while her family was on summer holiday in 1971 in Itchenor, West Sussex. 1974 Diana, on the Isle of Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland, began to take on the grown-up appearance that we would recognize in the adult princess. She worked various jobs; at this point she was likely doing voluntary work at the psychiatric Darenth Park Hospital. 1974 Some family photos show Diana's love of animals, including this photo of her being kissed by her pet pony "Scuffle." Interestingly, she was not an avid horse-rider, although after she became a member of the Royal Family she sometimes partook in the activity. 1980 These photos served as many people's introduction to the future Princess Diana. In 1980, she was working as a nanny for an American family as well as nursery teacher's assistant at the Young England School, while living with three roommates in a West London flat. 1980 Once Diana's and Charles' relationship became public knowledge, the paparazzi began aggressively snapping photos of her (which was a practice that would continue her whole life). Before their marriage, many photos like this would be taken of Diana walking around London. 1980 Throughout her life, Diana could be seen attending the Wimbledon tennis tournament with other family members and royals. In 1980, when this was taken, public attention had increased about her relationship with Charles (the pair would subsequently get engaged in February of 1981). 1980 Here, Diana and Charles held hands while walking around London. They first met in 1977 when he was dating her sister (Sarah Spencer); they were, by this stage, in the official "courting period" before they became engaged in February and wed in July 1981. 1980 I just enjoy this caption: "In this photo [Diana] is leaving the Young England is giggling and blushing after having gently reversed her car into a tree, whilst trying to drive and shield her face from the photographer at the same time." 1980 This photo said it all, really. Here she was "surrounded by press photographers and reporter Howard Foster shortly before the announcement of her engagement to Charles, Prince of Wales." Even before her marriage, the attention on her grew to be nearly unbearable. 1980 Despite the attention, Diana did attempt to live a semi-normal life before her marriage officially began. As the caption read, "Lady Diana Spencer wearing a green v-neck sweater over a white blouse, carrying a tote bag in her arms, possibly London, England." 1980 Diana's expression here of unbridled astonishment is delightful. Per the caption, "Lady Diana Spencer is startled after stalling her new red Mini Metro outside her Earls Court flat in London just days before her engagement to Prince Charles was announced." 1980 Weeks before her engagement was announced, "Lady Diana Spencer takes her young charge Patrick Robinson for his daily outing in the Eaton Square district of London during her time as a nanny, November 1980." Per the caption, she wore a green Loden wool coat. 1981 With engagement ring visible, Diana attended the 1981 races. Attention would have reached fever pitch at this point for the couple (her wedding would be watched by 750 million people on television, and 600,000 people took to the street to catch a glimpse in person). 1981 "The People's Princess" was beloved from a very early point in her public career, as evidenced by the public's displays of affection. Per the original caption, "Schoolboy Nicholas Hardy kisses Lady Diana Spencer's hand after giving her a daffodil, during her visit to Cheltenham." 1981 "British Royal Lady Diana Spencer, wearing a blue floral Bill Pashley outfit with a matching hat, and Prince Andrew in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London, England," per the caption. This would only have been a month before the wedding. 1981 What a star-studded Royal Box! Princess Grace of Monaco and Diana were photographed as they watched the historic Men's Singles final between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. Wimbledon has been a common royal activity in the summer, particularly for significant matches like this. 1981 Per the original caption, "Prince Charles and Princess Diana on board the Royal yacht Britannia as they prepare to depart from Gibraltar on their honeymoon cruise." It was perhaps not surprising, but attention on and scrutiny of the couple only increased after their wedding. 1982 Princess Diana developed hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) in her pregnancies, which meant she had to cut down on her public appearances. Here she wore a red David Sassoon maternity gown; Prince William would be born three months later. circa 1980s Diana loved polka dots and wore them often, although the floppy wide-brim black hat was slightly more unusual for the royal. The caption doesn't specify what procession Diana and Charles were attending. But it was smiles all round for the young couple. 1983 If that figure looks familiar, there's a good reason. "Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a blue velvet suit with a mandarin collar designed by Caroline Charles and a veiled hat by John Boyd, looks at a Royal Doulton figurine of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales playing polo, during a visit to the International Spring Fair at the National Exhibition Centre." 1984 Diana did not always wear her hair longer and pulled back, but she did begin experimenting with her style in the 1980s. This was a gray, almost menswear-adjacent Jan Van Velden coat; Diana was visiting a Dr. Barnardo's children's home in Newham, London. 1984 Diana stopped to chat with her husband as he rode by while playing polo at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor. Diana would give birth to their second child, Prince Harry, later that year in 1984. She experienced sickness for both of her pregnancies and was not seen in public as much. 1985 Even though the long, arduous history of Diana and Charles' marriage played out in the press, there were still some photographs of them in happier moments—such as this photo of the couple dancing during a formal event at Southern Cross Hotel in Australia. 1985 Diana, with Prince Edward in the background, walked past a Guard of Honour. She was known to embrace trends of the time, including wide-shouldered blazers, big patterns like stripes, and mixing and matching. She would continue to express herself more freely with fashion as she got older. 1986 Charles and Camilla restarted their affair officially in 1986. This was taken at a dinner in Vienna, with President Rudolf Kirchschläger (left) and Mayor of Vienna Helmut Zilk (right). The group might not have known they were being photographed, but still: one could sense a chill. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Charles Spencer shares never-before-seen intimate photo of Princess Diana as he reminisces on 'proud' childhood moment
Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has today revealed an unseen photograph of the royal from the 1960s. Charles, 61, who runs his family's estate, Althorp, in Northamptonshire, took to his Instagram page this morning to share the sweet black-and-white image from his childhood with his 279,000 followers. In the snap, the British author and his sister, King Charles ' ex wife, who died on 31 August 1997 after a car crash in Paris, are seen proudly displaying their swimming awards by the swimming pool at their childhood home in Sandringham. 'We were never out of that pool,' the Earl revealed in the caption of his post, adding the hashtags 'childhood memories, proud achievement and learning to swim'. Starting his post, he wrote: 'A long ago summer, by the swimming pool at our childhood home, Park House, Sandringham - Diana and I both proudly showing off our swimming badges (sewn onto our swimming costumes). 'These were awarded (sparingly) by Mrs Lansdowne, a fairly terrifying but very gifted swimming instructor, who came to stay each year.' Park House, in the Sandringham estate, is where Diana was born on July 1, 1961, when her family were renting it from Queen Elizabeth II. The royal continued living there until she was aged 14 in 1976 when she moved to her family's stately home Althorp House after her father John inherited his title Earl Spencer. Commenting on Charles' post, royal fans couldn't hide their delight as they thanked the Earl for sharing the previously unseen photograph. 'Thanks for showing us this picture. Your sister is missed every day,' wrote one person. Another said: 'What a magical picture.' A third added: 'Thank you for showing private moments of your childhood with your beautiful Diana. Then she became the country's most beautiful princess who is so missed.' Charles' post isn't the first time he's delighted royal fans with a photograph of his sister. To mark what would have been her 64th birthday in July, the Earl shared a previously unseen image of the royal that was taken on the occasion of her sixth birthday in 1967. The black-and-white snap posted on Instagram showed Diana enjoying a camel ride at her birthday party. Charles captioned the picture: 'Another July 1st from long ago - 1967, in fact: for Diana's sixth birthday party, my father (standing, left) - to huge excitement - secured the services of Bert the Camel from Peterborough Zoo.' The photo showed the late Earl John Spencer beaming proudly at his youngest daughter Diana, as she flashed a grin at the cameras. Reaction: Commenting on Charles' post, royal fans couldn't hide their delight as they thanked the Earl for sharing the previously unseen photograph Charles's post was flooded with comments from royal fans and well-wishers as they declared the late Princess is 'dearly missed' to this day. 'Happy birthday our precious queen of hearts,' one message read. 'Your soft voice, your unconditional love for people, your grace and elegance is why we will never forget you.' Another person wrote: 'A cherished memory. Your tribute at Althorp helps her live on for all of us.' 'She is absolutely dearly missed,' a third comment read. 'What an inspiration she was and it's unbelievable how much more and more young people relate to her and love her. Her legend and influence keeps growing.' Another noted she looked 'so happy with her siblings and father', while a fifth fan added: 'Happiest birthday in heaven, our beloved Queen! I am still sad you're no longer with us. Eternal rest our lovely Diana.' The post came just days after the Earl shared another Spencer family photo that was taken in 1989 around the time of their father's birthday, when the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry would have been 27. Along with John, the picture featured Charles and Diana's stepmother Raine Spencer, as well as Diana's sisters, Jane and Sarah. They were all stood at the bottom of the stairs of Althorp House, their estate in Northampton that has been in the Spencer family for over 500 years. Captioning the social media post, Charles wrote: 'Trying to remember what this rather formal family photograph was for - it shows my sisters and brothers in law, flanking my father and stepmother, at the base of the main staircase (in the central hallway, known as the Saloon) at Althrop House in the late '80s. 'Perhaps it was something to do with my father's 65th birthday, in January 1989? 'Definitely an '80s air to it all…. I'm always intrigued by interior shots from Althorp's past. Those huge candelabra are no longer on the staircase, and the Saloon's walls are now white.'
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding had echoes of Princess Diana running all the way through it, from the Forget-me-nots in the bouquet to the reading from Diana's sister....
Today marks what would have been Princess Diana 's 64th birthday. Prince Harry was just 12 years old when his mother tragically died in a car accident in August 1997, aged 36.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
Britain's Prince Harry explored changing surname to Spencer, says Guardian report
LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan explored the idea of changing their family name to Spencer amid months of delays in their two children receiving British passports, the Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday. Harry, the Duke of Sussex, believed that the passport delays were the result of British officials blocking the applications over the use of the Sussex surname and HRH titles (his or her royal highness) for his children, the newspaper said, citing an unnamed source. A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the prince had a meeting with his late mother Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, to discuss the family name. The source also said other media reports which said Spencer had advised Harry against changing his surname and that the legal hurdles to doing so were insurmountable, were inaccurate. Harry, the younger son of King Charles, stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, where he lives with Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Since leaving, he and Meghan have been highly critical of the royals in TV documentaries, an explosive interview with U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey and most notably in Harry's best-selling biography "Spare." The prince is barely on speaking terms with either his father or his elder brother, heir to the throne Prince William. In a BBC interview last month, Harry said he wanted reconciliation with the British royal family, but that his father King Charles will not speak to him over a separate row about his security.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Princesses, PMs & stars all captured by Sun's Arthur Edwards as he receives gong
OUR BRILLIANT ARTHUR Find out how a lorry driver's son ended up travelling to 120 countries to become the Royals' favourite snapper Mike Ridley , Sun feature writer Published : 0:01, 23 May 2025 IN the world of press photography there are legends – and then there is Arthur Edwards. Our royal photographer has been on The Sun's staff for 50 years, and in that time he has become a household name for his brilliant pictures. 15 Sun snapper Arthur Edward with the press pack on the day PM Margaret Thatcher quit in 1990 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd And to mark his incredible career, Arthur, who is still working at the age of 84, was last night presented with the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement prize at the annual Press Awards. He received the honour for a feat in national newspaper history that is unlikely ever to be repeated. In half a century working for Britain's favourite newspaper, lorry driver's son Arthur has visited 120 countries to take photos – not only of the royals, but also many of the world's best-known faces. Today he shares some of his favourite pictures – a tiny fraction of the thousands he has taken for readers of The Sun since he joined the staff in December 1974. Lady Diana Spencer, 1981 Probably my most famous Diana picture came about because I knew that the girl who would marry Prince Charles was a nursery assistant. But I didn't know where she worked, so I went to three pre-schools in West London before I came across the Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico. 15 With a bit of luck and sunlight, Arthur Edwards captured his most iconic photo of Diana at a Pimlico nursery Credit: The Sun I knocked on the door and asked the principal: 'Does Lady Diana Spencer work here?' When she said yes, I asked if Diana would pose for a photograph for The Sun. Diana agreed, but she wanted to have two of the children with her. Suddenly the sun came out. With the help of God's light, an ordinary photo became a fabulous picture. Margaret Thatcher and her cat, 1978 I was sent to Flood Street in Chelsea , where Mrs Thatcher lived when she was leader of the Opposition. Prince Harry & Meghan make money trashing the Royals - why should we pay for his security? | Royal Exclusive Show It was the Sunday before the 1978 Tory Conference and The Sun's Editor asked if I could get a picture of Mrs T writing her speech. 15 She was known as 'Thatcher the Milk Snatcher', but the Iron Lady showed her soft side in 1978 – as Arthur snapped her sharing a quiet moment and a saucer of milk with a cat Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun She looked so young back then and happily posed for a photo. But when she was seeing me off later, a cat jumped up on the wall. I saw the soft side of our future Prime Minister – who would become known as the Iron Lady – when she almost purred: 'Kitty, you want your milk.' Despite being nicknamed Thatcher the Milk Snatcher when she was Education Secretary and ended free school milk for children, she happily poured some into a saucer for the cat. It made a couple of brilliant pictures. David Beckham getting his OBE, 2003 I have photographed David many times, and he has always been a superstar. Nothing is too much trouble for him. 15 David Beckham kisses Victoria on the nose after getting his OBE in 2003 – a sweet moment captured when she refused to smile for the camera Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun When he received his OBE from the late Queen, I asked his wife Victoria to smile. But she never does, and she looked at me as if I was asking her for a thousand pounds. So David just kissed her on the nose, which I thought was lovely, and it made a great picture. Sir Paul McCartney, 2001 He was promoting some scarves that his wife Linda had designed. But the photo call at Kew Gardens was so chaotic that he walked away. 15 Sir Paul McCartney pulls a lemon from his pocket and poses with a smile in 2001 – telling Arthur, 'Call me Macca' Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Back then, The Sun was starting to print colour pages, and I was desperate for a bright photo that would get into the paper. So I waited outside the main pavilion until he came out, and I said: 'Excuse me, Sir Paul.' He replied: 'Call me Macca.' When he realised what I wanted, he pulled a lemon out of his pocket and posed happily for this very colourful picture. Donald Trump, 2016 During his first campaign for the US presidency in 2016, he was at his Turnberry golf course in Scotland. I tried to get a photo that was different, so I took him with a copy of that day's Sun. 15 Donald Trump at Turnberry in 2016 – Arthur secretly thought he didn't have a prayer of winning the presidency… how wrong can you be? Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun I asked him to take his hat off but he said no, adding that his hair wasn't good, and he would not do it. On the plane home, I said to my colleague, The Sun's Chief Feature Writer Oliver Harvey: 'I don't think he's got a prayer in the election.' How wrong can you be? Prince Charles and Ronald Reagan, 1981 I was in Wellington, New Zealand, at the start of a world tour with Prince Charles when we heard the shocking news that US President Ronald Reagan had been shot. The royal tour was due to end in Washington DC, and after the assassination attempt, we assumed that leg would be cancelled. 15 Charles joked about the persistence of the British press, after the snapper asked President Regan to stand for a shot - despite a recent assassination attempt Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun But by the time we had visited Australia and Hawaii, President Reagan had recovered, and his first official meeting was with the prince at the White House. They were sitting by the fireplace and I asked them both to stand up. Reagan, who was still frail, could not believe what I'd asked. But Charles stood up and said: 'The British press – they are so persistent.' Prince Philip, the Queen and Zara Phillips in carriage, 1984 Every year Philip competed at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The Queen and their granddaughter Zara are on his carriage. 15 Prince Philip competes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1984, with the Queen and granddaughter Zara Phillips cheering from his carriage Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Philip's biggest fan was his wife, who suffered every fault and every mistake he made – but when he won, she always cheered the loudest. Harry and the hand mark, 2015 This is the moment he got his revenge on me for revealing during New Zealand's breakfast TV that he was losing his hair. 15 Harry takes his revenge for Arthur revealing the prince's thinning crown Credit: PA:Press Association 15 Harry's purple handed artwork We were visiting a youth club where the youngsters asked him to do a hand print on the wall in purple paint. He did – then placed his hand firmly on my head. Prince Charles with Tom Jones and Lionel Richie, 2019 I seem to have been taking pictures of Tom Jones all my life, from his early days in Wales to last year's D-Day celebrations in Normandy. Although he is quite old now, like Elvis, Sir Tom has never lost that fabulous voice. 15 Prince Charles with his great friend Tom Jones and Lionel Richie in Barbados, 2019 - a rare snapshot of music legends and royalty together Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Lionel Richie is a great friend of the now King Charles. I photographed him at the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle, but I love this picture of the three of them, which I took in Barbados. Brian May on Buckingham Palace roof, 2002 Queen guitarist playing the National Anthem on the palace roof to open Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee concert. Genius. Not many people bothered to photograph it because there was a star-studded line-up to come, including Cliff Richard, Ozzy Osbourne and Paul McCartney. 15 Brian May rocks Buckingham Palace roof, 2002, playing the National Anthem to kick off the Golden Jubilee concert - a shot that led to friendship and tea with the Queen guitarist Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Afterwards, Brian asked if he could use my picture of him finishing in triumph – playing the guitar that his dad had made for him – on his social media. Naturally I said yes, because he had done such a brilliant job under immense pressure. Later, Brian invited me to tea and we became quite good friends. Tony and Cherie Blair, 2005 I went along to Downing Street with our political editor Trevor Kavanagh who was interviewing the Prime Minister in the beautiful garden. 15 Cherie Blair asked for a photo with Tony — Arthur said, 'Give him a hug' His wife Cherie asked if they could have a picture together? I said 'give him a hug'. They loved the photo so much the Blairs gave a signed copy to every visitor to No10. I've got a signed copy of it at home. Mother Teresa, 1980 Prince Charles went to visit Mother Teresa in Calcutta and pray with her, which of course we couldn't photograph. 15 Of all his rich and famoous subjects, Arthur says Mother Theresa was the most humble, compassionate person But I photographed her these orphans who had been abandoned on the streets and this wonderful woman, who is now a saint, took them in. Of all the famous people I've photographed, she was the most humble, compassionate person. I am so lucky to have met her. Princess Anne and Gorbachev, 1980 I have been to the Kremlin a few times, including once when I photographer Diana Ross there. 15 Princess Anne meets President Gorbachev at the Kremlin in 1980 This time I went with Princess Anne who visited the USSR space centre before meeting President Gorbachev.
