Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97,) born Diana Frances Spencer, was the ex-wife of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. She was the mother of Prince William, currently the second in the line of succession. Diana was the most charismatic and the publicly adored member of the British royal family for decades.
Born in Sandringham, Norfolk, Diana was educated in England and Switzerland. She married Prince Charles when she was twenty in a spectacular ceremony that was viewed on television by tens of millions around the world. She gave birth to Prince William in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984. The marriage was soon in trouble after Diana realized her husband’s affection for Camilla Parker-Bowles, whom he eventually married in 2005.
Diana found the royal family aloof, and her sadness led to bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder, and several affairs. After the biography Diana, Her True Story (1992) revealed the extent of her despair, she described her marriage a “torture” in a leaked private videotape.
Diana became an admired figure through her humanitarian work. She not only focused on helping children, homeless people, and AIDS sufferers but also led an international campaign to forbid landmines. Her heartbreaking death in a brutal car crash in Paris gave rise to an extensive display of public mourning.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Diana, Princess of Wales
I understand people’s suffering, people’s pain, more than you will every know yourself.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Understanding
Hugs can do great amounts of good—especially for children.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Children
It is a weakness that I lead from my heart, and not my head?
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Heart
The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Tolerance
I like to be a free spirit. Some don’t like that, but that’s the way I am.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Choice
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Heart
You can’t comfort the afflicted with afflicting the comfortable.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Conflict
What must it be like for a little boy to read that daddy never loved mummy?
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Fashion
It’s not sissy to show your feeling.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Feelings
If I am to care for people in hospital I really must know every aspect of their treatment and to understand their suffering.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Understanding
At the age of 19, you always think you are prepared for everything and you think you have the knowledge of what?s coming ahead.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
I remember when I used to sit on hospital beds and hold people?s hands, people used to be shocked because they?d never seen this before. To me it was quite normal.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Love
I have a woman’s instinct and it’s always a good one.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Intuition
If you find someone you love in your life, then hang on to that love.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Love
I love to hold people’s hands when I visit hospitals, even though they are shocked because they haven’t experienced anything like it before, but to me it is a normal thing to do.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Affection, Love
Whoever is in the distress can call me. I will come running wherever they are.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Assistance, Aid, Help
No one sat me down with a piece of paper and said, “This is what is expected of you.” But I’m lucky enough in the fact that I have found my role; I love being with people?
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Purpose
The people that I care about are the people out there on the street. I can identify with them.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Sympathy
It’s vital the monarchy keeps in touch with the people. It’s what I try and do.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Communication
Yes, I do touch. I believe that everyone needs that
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Affection, Love
Helping people in need is a good and essential part of my life, a kind of destiny.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Service, Helping
I’d like to be queen of people’s hearts.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Royalty, Queens, Kings
I wish all the mothers, fathers and children out there realize how much I need them and how much I value their support.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Parents, Parenting
Everyone of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Love
I knew what my job was; it was to go out and meet the people and love them.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Destiny
I’ve got to have a place where I can find peace of mind.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Serenity
I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Purpose
Don’t call me an icon. I’m just a mother trying to help.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Identity, Names
This boy is dead now, I knew it before taking him in my arms, I can remember his face, his suffering, his voice.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Memory
I don’t want expensive gifts; I don’t want to be bought. I have everything I want. I just want someone to be there for me, to make me feel safe and secure.
—Diana, Princess of Wales
Topics: Security
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Jane Addams American Social Reformer
Audrey Hepburn Belgian-British Actress
Mother Teresa Roman Catholic Nun
Iris Murdoch British Novelist, Philosopher
Daniel Day-Lewis English Actor
James Montgomery English Hymn writer
William Blackstone English Judge
Anthony Trollope English Novelist
Philip Doddridge English Nonconformist Religious Leader
Arthur Wing Pinero English Playwright