Diana, Princess of Wales (born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, in Sandringham, Norfolk, England; died August 31, 1997, in Paris, France) was the first wife of the current British heir apparent, Charles, and served as Crown Princess of the United Kingdom from 1981 to 1996. From her marriage to Charles came their sons William and Henry, often called Harry. Despite common usage, Diana did not hold the title "Lady" after her wedding.
Diana became a media icon during her lifetime and was once considered the most famous and most photographed woman in the world. Her marriage to Prince Charles experienced a severe crisis and officially ended with their separation announced in 1992. The scandals of the 1990s arising from their conflict caused significant damage to the British monarchy. After the divorce, Diana lost her status as Royal Highness but remained a member of the royal family. She supported numerous charitable projects during the 1980s, including British AIDS relief, and after the divorce, she campaigned against landmines and continued to help disadvantaged people. Diana died on August 31, 1997, in a car crash in a tunnel under the Place de l’Alma in Paris. Her death caused global shock and sympathy and had severe consequences for the monarchy's reputation. A public funeral was held on September 6, 1997, despite protocol rules, due to the overwhelming public mourning. Diana was posthumously nicknamed the "Queen of Hearts," a title previously held by Elizabeth Stuart in the 17th century.
United Kingdom
