Diana, Princess of Wales, wanted nothing more than to be queen of people’s hearts — and when she died on August 31, 1997, crowds across the world wept to have been robbed of her so soon. A loving mother, devoted humanitarian, and style icon whose glamour and genuine nature captivated those around her, Diana’s loss was felt by many, and her missing presence has haunted not just sons Prince William and Prince Harry, but the whole British royal family. Her royal legacy lives on in a series of iconic photos that show the Princess going where she was told not to go and wearing what she was told not to wear, snapshots of defiance where you’d swear you can almost see the royal winking back at you.
Diana’s shake-up to the royal family may only exist in photos now, Meghan Markle’s recent arrival to (and exit from) the royal family reminded many of Harry’s late mother. For some, it wasn’t until Meghan came along that another royal like Diana even felt possible — someone who broke old-fashioned and outdated rules, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and who acted as a champion of the people, not a representative of the British upper class. Diana’s history as a kindergarten teacher and her determination to continue her charity work after her split from Charles wasn’t incidental to her fame as a royal, but a key part of why the public felt so connected to her.
In Diana, and for some now in Meghan, the public felt they had a representative in the royal midst. Princess Diana’s life was consumed by the fame she earned as a royal, marrying Charles at just 19, but she grew into a savvy public figure and never lost sight of the causes most important to her, right up until her too-soon death. As long as the world continues to ogle over the photos that captured her momentous feats and moments of daring to stand out, her legacy will always live on.
In honor of Diana’s anniversary today, let’s take a look at the photos that best captured her life to see why Diana still holds such a special place in our hearts.
A version of this article was previous published in August 2020.
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Legendary Smile
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. It’s no wonder that that smile captivated millions and multiple generations.
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Diana & William
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. While we adore this tartan 1980s look, we love this sweet moment of Diana holding William’s hand!
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Beauty in a Bowtie
Image Credit: Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images. Truly, Diana was inspired by so many things for her iconic clothing… including some menswear pieces!
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Suit Up!
Image Credit: Photo by Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images. Have you seen this photo of Diana, Princess of Wales rocking a black and green suit?! Why isn’t this one talked about more? She looked incredible!
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Diana & Harry Chilling
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. Princess Diana was beaming with joy when she was with her son Prince Harry at their country home in Highgrove.
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Beach Time!
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. This photo of Princess Diana being buried in the sand by her sons and their friends on a trip to Necker Island may be one of the sweetest pics ever.
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Hugging Princess
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. The Princess Of Wales never liked the rule about royals not being able to be touched, and she frequently would hug fans like these young pupils from The Swaminarayan School.
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Playful Harry
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. This photo of Prince Harry sticking his tongue out during Trooping The Colour will always be hysterical, especially when you see Diana’s shocked face!
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Thorpe Park Theme Park
Image Credit: Photo by Bob Collier/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images. We don’t see this sweet photo of Princess Diana and Prince Harry at Thorpe Park enough!
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Colorful at Cannes
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. The only time Princess Diana ever arrived ta Cannes Film Festival, it was an unforgettable moment! Especially when you remember she wore this iconic baby blue Catherine Walker gown to the event!
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Sleepy Royal
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. While at The Victoria And Albert Museum For The Splendours Of The Gonzagas Exhibition Gala, Diana made headlines for falling asleep! No one knew until the next day that she was pregnant. Today, it’s one of fans’ favorite photos because it shows how relatable she remains.
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Angola Visit
Image Credit: Photo by Anwar Hussein Collection/Getty Images. Back in 1997, Diana showed more of her philanthropy side as she walked with body armour and a visor on the minefields during a visit to Huambo, Angola.
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Picture Perfect Princess
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. This photo of her wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara during a 1983 visit to Canada needs to be talked about more.
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A-List Meeting
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. This photo of Princess Diana meeting Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman at the premiere of Far and Away still doesn’t compute to us.
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Royal Princess
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. Princess Diana looked radiant while aboard the new P&O cruise liner named after her called “Royal Princess!”
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All Smiles
Image Credit: Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images. When Princess Diana was around her kids, it was all smiles.
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Iconic Smirk
Image Credit: Getty. This snapshot of Princess Diana smirking her iconic smirk lives in our minds rent-free.
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Her final vacation
Image Credit: Michel Dufour/WireImage. On one of her last vacations, Diana spent time in St. Tropez as a guest of the Al Fayed family. Just six weeks later, she and Dodi Al Fayed were killed in a car crash in Paris.
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Humanitarian to the core
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana walked through an active land mine field to bring attention to the plight of civilian victims whose lives were forever changed by the damage caused to their bodies.
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Revenge is an LBD
Image Credit: Jayne Fincher/Getty Images. On the night Prince Charles confessed his adulterous affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles to the international press, Diana held her head high and donned this stunning revenge dress.
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Stunning in Dior
Image Credit: Steve Eichner. Diana attended the opening of a Christian Dior exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in December 1996 and made a splash in this stunning backless Galliano dress and a pearl and sapphire choker.
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Royal compassion
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images. Diana often shocked the world by breaking royal protocol with compassion, like when she touched the gnarled legs of an HIV patient at a leprosy hospital in Kathmandu.
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First Day at School
Image Credit: AP. Just a normal family dropping their kids off for the first day at Eton in impeccable suits.
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One Is the Loneliest Number
Image Credit: WENN. Diana sits alone in front of the Taj Mahal, signaling to the world her loneliness and isolation.
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The Cool Mom
Image Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images. Diana brought the boys for a day at Thorpe Park so they could enjoy a simple, fun day out like regular kids.
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Racing in the Mother’s Race
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/WireImage. Despite being royalty, that didn’t stop Diana from participating in school activities. We know Prince William and Prince Harry especially loved seeing their mother run in the Mother’s race.
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Jigsaw Puzzle at Kensington Palace
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. We love this photo of Princess Diana helping Prince William with a jigsaw puzzle in his playroom in Kensington Palace.
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Casey House
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. One of the best photos of Diana to ever come was the legendary snapshot of when she shook hands with one of the residents of the Casey House, an AIDS hospice in Toronto, Canada.
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Wearing Pink at Highgrove House
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. Princess Diana looked so stunning back in 1986, with this iconic photo of her rocking a pink and white outfit while sitting on a step at the Highgrove House.
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A Loving Reunion
Image Credit: Associated Press. In this memorable October 1991 photo, Princess Diana spreads her arms to embrace sons William and Harry after trip.
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Official Royal Baby Cuddler
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana cuddling HIV-positive children at an orphanage in Brazil. She played a vital role in destigmatizing HIV and correcting misinformation about how the infection spreads.
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Alone Time With William
Image Credit: Alamy Stock Photo. Diana always looked happiest when you caught her alone with her sons.
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Meeting a Saint
Image Credit: WENN. Diana meets Mother Teresa, whose devotion to charity she strove to emulate.
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Neves Bendinha Orthopaedic Workshop
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. Angola held a special place in the Princess Of Wales’ heart. This photo captures her big heart when she was with the children injured by the mines at Neves Bendinha Orthopaedic Workshop.
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Dancing days
Image Credit: Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images. Diana dances with John Travolta at the White House in 1985.
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Princess Diana Holds Prince Harry in Her Arms
Image Credit: AP. In this precious photo, Princess Diana holds son Prince Harry during a visit to Spain in August 1987.
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Casual Wear at Guards Polo Club
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images. Princess Diana’s casual outfits are unmatched, with this denim, sweater, and boot combo at the Guards Polo Club still being so iconic.
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Fit for a Queen
Image Credit: Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images. Diana looks every inch a queen herself, riding beside Queen Elizabeth to the Opening of Parliament in 1982.
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Her Beloved Boys
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana at home in Kensington Palace with Princes William and Harry.
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Model off Duty
Image Credit: AP Diana looked joyous and chic while making her way to a private flight out of the Carribean after a vacation. Her laid-back look would be the envy of anyone trying to create a modelesque streetwear look today!
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That Sly Smile
Image Credit: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images. Diana makes her signature face while visiting the town of Alice Springs on an official tour of Australia in 1983.
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The Honeymooners
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana and Charles being all lovey-dovey on their honeymoon at Balmoral in Scotland.
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A New Prince in Town
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana and Charles leave the hospital with a newborn Prince William.
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A Quiet Moment
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/SIPA. A beautifully outfitted 22-year-old Diana was snapped in a serious moment during a royal visit to Newcastle.
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That Kiss!
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/WENN.com. Charles and Diana kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day in 1981.
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The Big Announcement
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Charles and Diana announce their engagement — and show off that ring — at Buckingham Palace in 1981.
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Pride and Joy
Image Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images. Diana cuddles with a baby Prince William at her home in Kensington Palace.
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Rocking Red Tartan
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/WireImage. Diana always looked stunning in tartan, especially in this red tartan dress designed by Caroline Charles.
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Welcoming Baby #2
Image Credit: AP. Just like she did with William, Diana posed with newborn Harry after leaving St. Mary’s hospital.
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Dramatic Wedding Gown
Image Credit: Everett Collection. While Princess Diana remarked that her wedding was one of the worst days of her life, she did look ethereal in her dramatic wedding gown.
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Saving Grace
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/WENN.com. Prince Charles, Princess Grace of Monaco and Diana at the future princess’s first real public appearance since her engagement was announced.
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