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Remembering Princess Diana: 25 images that symbolize the life of the Princess of Wales

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Caption: (Image: Getty; PA)

Princess Diana was one of the most photographed women in the world until her tragic and untimely death just 25 years ago.

A quarter of a century after the car accident that killed her in Paris at the age of 36, the late princess continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Princess Diana won the hearts of the nation when she joined Prince Charles in 1981. The kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace was described as one of the most memorable kisses of all time.

It was just one of many iconic moments that followed, from her early days as a postpartum mother to Princes William and Harry, to her life outside the royal family after her divorce.

Diana has also made headlines with her unique sense of style, with wardrobe choices influencing trends.

Most importantly, he will always be remembered for his extraordinary ability to connect with the masses.

From a historic walk in a mine in Angola to shaking hands with an AIDS patient, Diana’s compassion and kindness led her to be nicknamed “Princess of the People” and she suffered greatly when she passed away.

Here, he celebrates Diana’s life with 25 of her most iconic images captured on camera.

Announces engagement to Prince Charles

LONDON, UK - FEBRUARY 24: The day Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (later Princess Diana) announced their engagement at Buckingham Palace (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

A couple pose together during their engagement session (Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Charles and Diana revealed that they became engaged on February 24, 1981, after meeting in 1977 when the prince had an affair with his sister, Sarah Spencer.

However, when Charles was asked if she was in love, she was left “absolutely traumatized” after replying, “Whatever love means.”

Diana later revealed that the “strange” reaction “completely kicked her out”.

“Wedding of the Century”

The couple’s first kiss was seen by 750 million viewers (Image: AFP/Getty)

Charles and Diana were married in what was dubbed the “Wedding of the Century” on Wednesday, July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Diana, then Lady Diana Spencer, was only 20 years old when she married the future king and was 32 at the time.

The marriage was seen by more than 750 million people in 74 countries and cemented its place in television history.

LONDON, UK - JULY 29: Prince Charles kisses the hand of his new bride, Princess Diana, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day.  (Photo from Tim Graham Photo Library at Getty Images)

Prince Charles kisses the bride’s hand (Image: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty)

Lady Diana Spencer arrives at St. Paul's Cathedral on her wedding day to show the world the wedding dress that was carefully preserved during design.

Princess Diana’s iconic gown was designed by David Emmanuel (Image: Bateman Archive)

LONDON, UK - JULY 29: Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, David and Elizabeth from St Paul's Cathedral to Buckingham Palace in wedding dresses designed by Emmanuel and tiara from the Spencer family Travel in an open carriage.  After their wedding in London, England, on July 29, 1981. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

The couple rode in an open carriage from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace (Image: Getty)

maternity approval

UNITED KINGDOM - October 2004: Diana Princess of Wales with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry at the piano at Kensington Palace (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Princess Diana playing the piano with her children at Kensington Palace in 1985 (Image: Getty)

Diana gave birth to Prince William on June 21, 1982 and his brother Prince Harry on September 15, 1984.

He decided that children’s childhoods should be as normal as possible and refused to let their titles interfere with enjoying life’s joyful experiences.

One fan recalled meeting the princess in Thorpe Park in the 1990s, describing her simply as a “normal mum”.

Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry visit Japan

Diana, William and Harry photographed in Thorpe Park in 1993 (Image: Getty)

MALLORCA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Diana, Prince Harry and the Princess of Wales during their vacation in Mallorca, Spain on August 10, 1987.

Diana and Harry on holiday in Mallorca on August 10, 1987 (Image: Getty)

Princess Diana (1961-1997) rides in a traditional sled with Princes William and Harry during a ski vacation in Lech, Austria, on March 30, 1993.

Diana, William and Harry ride a traditional sled on a ski holiday in Lech, Austria, 1993 (Image: Getty)

LONDON - MAY 7: (File Photo) Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, at the VE Head of State Memorial Service in Hyde Park, London, UK on May 7, 1995. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

Diana and her children attend the VE Head of State memorial service in Hyde Park in 1995 (Image: Getty)

common people princess

Diana died before landmines were banned, but her son Harry told the public in Angola that it was “a humanitarian problem, not a political one” and pledged to support her new cause.

His decision to shake hands with an AIDS patient without gloves in 1987 was equally monumental. This was a simple and moving act of human kindness that showed the world that a devastating disease deserves compassion and understanding.

ANGOLA - JANUARY 5: Princess Diana of Wales, wearing a bulletproof vest and visor, visits a minefield being cleared by the Angolan charity Halo Humbo (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library for Getty Images)

Diana visited a minefield in Humbo, Angola (Image: Getty)

LUANDA, ANGOLA - JANUARY 14: Diana, Princess of Wales, children injured by landmines at the Neves Bendinha Orthopedic Workshop in Luanda, Angola (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library at Getty Images)

Diana sitting next to children injured by landmines in Angola (Image: Getty)

LONDON - APRIL 9: Diana Princess of Wales shakes hands with an AIDS victim as she opens the new AIDS unit at Middlesex Hospital on April 9, 1987 in London, England.  (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Diana shakes hands with an AIDS victim at Middlesex Hospital on April 9, 1987 (Image: WireImage)

Fashion Icon

Diana is still called “fashion’s ultimate influencer” and her timeless sense of style continues to inspire millions to this day.

Princess Diana (1961-1997) in the 'Black Sheep' wool sweater by Warm and Wonderful (Muir & Osborne) at Windsor Polo, June 1981. (Photo from Tim Graham Photo Library at Getty Images)

Diana in a wool sweater in 1981 (Image: Getty)

BREMER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 5: Diana, Princess of Wales wearing a tartan dress and black Tam o'Shanter style hat designed by Caroline Charles on September 5, 1981 attends the Braemar Highland Games in Braemar, Scotland .  (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Diana in a Caroline Charles designed tartan dress and black Tam O’Shanter hat attends the Braemar Highland Games on September 5, 1981 (Image: WireImage)

Princess Diana (1961-1997) on the steps of Highgrove House, Dutton, Gloucestershire, on July 18, 1986.

The princess sat on the steps of Highgrove House in 1986 (Image: Getty)

Princess Diana (1961-1997) at the State Dinner in Canberra, November 1985.

Diana at the state dinner in Canberra, November 1985 (Image: Getty)

Anzio, Italy - April 28: Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a flying saucer-style hat, visits Miller Frederick Fox (Freddy) in Anzio, Italy (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Diana wore a hat from Frederick Fox, a milliner in Anzio, Italy (Image: Getty)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 9, 1985: A photo provided by the White House shows Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at the State Dinner held in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, DC on November 9 1985. (Photo by Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images)

Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at the White House in 1985 (Image: Getty)

HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 10: The Princess of Wales from Hong Kong wears an outfit described as an Elvis look, designed by fashion designer Catherine Walker.  Tour dates are November 7-10.  (Exact date unknown) (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library at Getty Images)

Diana in Hong Kong in an Elvis-inspired costume (Image: Getty)

life after divorce

After breaking up with Charles in 1992, Diana revealed another side of herself, giving her a new sense of freedom.

The two parted ways in 1996 when she was stripped of her royal titles and officially became known as Diana, Princess of Wales.

Their breakup was allegedly caused by her interview with the infamous and now discredited Martin Bashir for BBC’s Panorama.

LONDON - NOVEMBER 1995: Princess Diana, Princess of Wales wearing a Virgin Atlantic t-shirt leaving the Chelsea Harbor Club in London, November 1995. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Diana leaves the Chelsea Harbor Club in London in November 1995 (Image: Anwar Hussain/WireImage)

Princess Diana (1961-1997) arrives at London's Serpentine Gallery in a Christina of Stamborian dress in June 1994. (Photo by Jane Fincher/Getty Images)MOREHIDE

Diana arrives at the Serpentine Gallery in London, June 1994 (Image: Getty)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 20: Diana, Princess of Wales attends a gala evening in support of cancer research at Bridgewater House in London.  The princess is wearing a dress designed by fashion designer Jack Azagli (Photograph by Tim Graham Photo Library at Getty Images)

Diana is shown at a gala dinner supporting cancer research in 1995 (Image: Getty)

Embargoed Until Thursday December 30, 0001 Diana, Princess of Wales May 27, 1997 According to recently released government files, the Dean of the University of Westminster has made a personal appeal to Buckingham Palace, claiming that Sir Elton Jones allowed him to perform his famous performance in The Funeral of Princess Diana.  See PA Story Note Diana.  Photo Reading: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Diana taken in May 1997 (Image: PA)

Princess Diana at the Red Cross dinner in June 1997

Diana at the Red Cross dinner in June 1997 (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)



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Source: Metro

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