17 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Princess Diana

Do you know what she did before she became royalty?

08 March, 2018
17 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Princess Diana

Do you know what she did before she became royalty?

She was homeschooled until age 9.

At the time, it was common for upper-class children to be taught at home by a tutor. After her parents' divorce, Diana attended Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk, where her family resided. At 12, she was sent to an exclusive boarding school, the West Heath School.

1She was homeschooled until age 9.

At the time, it was common for upper-class children to be taught at home by a tutor. After her parents' divorce, Diana attended Riddlesworth Hall in Norfolk, where her family resided. At 12, she was sent to an exclusive boarding school, the West Heath School.

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She was not a strong student.

After failing two exams, she left the West Heath School when she was 16. Her father enrolled her in a Swedish finishing school but she insisted on returning home.

2She was not a strong student.

After failing two exams, she left the West Heath School when she was 16. Her father enrolled her in a Swedish finishing school but she insisted on returning home.

She was a kindergarten teacher.

After leaving finishing school in Sweden, Diana worked part-time as a cleaning woman and babysitter before finding a job

3She was a kindergarten teacher.

After leaving finishing school in Sweden, Diana worked part-time as a cleaning woman and babysitter before finding a job

She wanted to be a ballerina.
aristocratic-upbringing" target="_blank">at the Young England School.

4She wanted to be a ballerina.aristocratic-upbringing" target="_blank">at the Young England School.

Her grandmother, Ruth Fermoy, was lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother.

She studied ballet as a child, but became too tall to continue to excel. But her love of classical dance led her to become a big supporter of the English National Ballet until her death. Here, she greets ballerinas at the Royal Albert Hall before a performance of Swan Lake.

5Her grandmother, Ruth Fermoy, was lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother.

She studied ballet as a child, but became too tall to continue to excel. But her love of classical dance led her to become a big supporter of the English National Ballet until her death. Here, she greets ballerinas at the Royal Albert Hall before a performance of Swan Lake.

Her sister dated Prince Charles first.

Lady Fermoy served the Royal family for nearly 40 years. She was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and many assumed the two encouraged the marriage of their grandchildren. However, they denied this and it was reported that Diana was not on speaking terms with Lady Fermoy, who died in 1993.

6Her sister dated Prince Charles first.

Lady Fermoy served the Royal family for nearly 40 years. She was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and many assumed the two encouraged the marriage of their grandchildren. However, they denied this and it was reported that Diana was not on speaking terms with Lady Fermoy, who died in 1993.

She became engaged to Prince Charles at age 19 and married him at age 20.

While Lady Sarah Spencer and Prince Charles were seeing each other, Diana met the Prince at a family gathering. She was 16.

7She became engaged to Prince Charles at age 19 and married him at age 20.

While Lady Sarah Spencer and Prince Charles were seeing each other, Diana met the Prince at a family gathering. She was 16.

She selected her engagement ring from a catalog.

The Prince, who was 12 years her senior, was under increasing pressure to find a bride.

8She selected her engagement ring from a catalog.

The Prince, who was 12 years her senior, was under increasing pressure to find a bride.

The heavy, 25-foot silk train on her wedding dress is the longest in Royal history.

Although royal engagement rings are usually custom made, Diana selected hers from the Garrard jewelry collection catalog. The ring, which consists of 14 solitaire diamonds around a 12-carat sapphire set in white gold, now

9The heavy, 25-foot silk train on her wedding dress is the longest in Royal history.

Although royal engagement rings are usually custom made, Diana selected hers from the Garrard jewelry collection catalog. The ring, which consists of 14 solitaire diamonds around a 12-carat sapphire set in white gold, now

She chose to abandon the royal wedding vow tradition of saying she would "obey" Prince Charles.
.Vg7hFGTF_Yl" target="_blank">belongs to Duchess Kate Middleton.

10She chose to abandon the royal wedding vow tradition of saying she would "obey" Prince Charles. .Vg7hFGTF_Yl" target="_blank">belongs to Duchess Kate Middleton.

Her favorite dessert was bread and butter pudding.

The dress was decorated with sequins, embroidery, and 10,000 pearls. Diana had several practice sessions walking in it.

11Her favorite dessert was bread and butter pudding.

The dress was decorated with sequins, embroidery, and 10,000 pearls. Diana had several practice sessions walking in it.

She took her sons on outings not typical for royal children.

Three decades later, William and Kate followed Princess Di's lead.

12She took her sons on outings not typical for royal children.

Three decades later, William and Kate followed Princess Di's lead.

Her favorite color was pink.

Her long-time personal chef, Darren McGrady, said the Princess would often enter the kitchen while he was making this dish and snack on the raisins off the top. You can find Diana's favorite recipes, including this one, in McGrady's book Eating Royally.

13Her favorite color was pink.

Her long-time personal chef, Darren McGrady, said the Princess would often enter the kitchen while he was making this dish and snack on the raisins off the top. You can find Diana's favorite recipes, including this one, in McGrady's book Eating Royally.

She bears a striking resemblance to her niece.

They ranged from Disney World and McDonald's to AIDS clinics and homeless shelters. Here, the Princess rides a log flume with both boys at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, England.

14She bears a striking resemblance to her niece.

They ranged from Disney World and McDonald's to AIDS clinics and homeless shelters. Here, the Princess rides a log flume with both boys at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, England.

15She was also a devoted godmother.

And she was often seen wearing outfits in all shades of the color.

She auctioned off 79 of her dresses, raising $5.76 million for AIDS and breast cancer charities.

Lady Kitty, the daughter of Princess Diana's younger brother Charles Spencer, was most recently spotted at Milan Fashion Week.

16She auctioned off 79 of her dresses, raising $5.76 million for AIDS and breast cancer charities.

Lady Kitty, the daughter of Princess Diana's younger brother Charles Spencer, was most recently spotted at Milan Fashion Week.

She's buried on an island.

Her goddaughter, Domenica Lawson, now 20, recently responded to comments by a British television star who criticized people with Down's Syndrome. Here, Domenica attends the grand opening of The Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens in June 2000.

17She's buried on an island.

Her goddaughter, Domenica Lawson, now 20, recently responded to comments by a British television star who criticized people with Down's Syndrome. Here, Domenica attends the grand opening of The Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens in June 2000.

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