On July the 29th, 1981, a shy 19

year-old, Diana Spencer, married Charles, the Prince of Wales in London. 3,500

guests and over one billion people worldwide watched as the fairytale wedding

took place. Everything looked perfect for the happy couple as Charles and the

public fell in love with Diana.

When William was born in 1982, followed

by Harry in 1984, the couple's joy seemed complete. However, things were not as

they seemed. Diana was very unhappy in her marriage. She suffered from

depression after the birth of her first son and there were rumours that she had

an eating disorder. There were even stories that she attempted suicide.

Diana blamed Charles for their unhappy marriage. She said he didn't seem

interested in her and that he'd never really loved her. Charles started an

affair with his ex-girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles and Diana had affairs, one

with her riding instructor, James Hewitt, and another with the England rugby

player, Will Carling. These scandals appeared in the newspapers and were very

embarrassing for the royal family. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996.

After the divorce, Diana became more involved in charity work. She was

the first famous person to work for AIDS charities. She also campaigned against

landmines. The public loved her for the way she cared for others. In contrast,

the rest of the royal family seemed cold and uncaring to most people.

Diana’s life ended tragically in a car crash in France. On August the

31st, 1997, she got into a car with her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, her bodyguard

and her driver. The police said the car was speeding to escape the paparazzi

when it crashed in a tunnel in Paris. Although the doctors tried to save her, it

was too late and Diana died.

Over one billion people watched her funeral

and millions around the world cried when they saw the card on her coffin from

her two young sons. It had only one word on it - "Mummy".

She is still

remembered for the love she showed for others, and for many will always be the

people’s princess.