Diana, Princess of Wales

* Season 6
* Season 5
* Season 4

**Diana, Princess of Wales** (born Lady **Diana Frances Spencer**), was a member of the British Royal Family and the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the British throne. She is also the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. In *The Crown*, she is portrayed by Emma Corrin in Season 4 and by Elizabeth Debicki in Seasons 5 and 6.

## Biography

Diana was born the fourth of five children to John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (1924-1992), and Frances Spencer, Viscountess Althorp (1936-2004). She has four siblings: John (January 12,1960; Stillborn) and Charles (May 20, 1964) and Elizabeth "Sarah" (March 19, 1955) and Cynthia "Jane" (February 11, 1957). The Spencer family were an aristocratic family, who had been allied with the British royal family for generations. Indeed, Lady Fermoy, served as lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother. In her youth she Diana was known informally as "Duch", in reference to her 'duchess'-like attitude and early aspirations to marry into the royal family.

Diana grew up in Park House on the Sandringham estate, where the royal family frequently holidayed. Diana therefore sometimes played with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Diana was seven years old when her parents divorced, and this had a major psychological impact on Diana. Diana's relationship with her stepmother Raine Spencer, was also particularly bad, to such an extent on one occasion Diana reportedly "pushed her down the stairs".

Diana's mother bought her a flat at Earl's Court as an 18th birthday present. She lived there with three flatmates until 1981.

Lady Diana Spencer is introduced to *The Crown* as the younger sister of one of Prince Charles' girlfriends, Lady Sarah Spencer. Diana meets Prince Charles in 1977 dressed as a "mad tree" in costume for *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. Diana is "obsessed" with the idea of meeting Charles and possibly orchestrated the meeting. After the death of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Diana approaches Prince Charles, spurning his interests.

Their relationship develops when Charles invites Diana to Balmoral, where Diana is well received by the Queen, the Queen Mother, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Margaret, and Princess Anne, passing the 'Balmoral Test'. In 1981, the two become engaged to marry and Diana's life is changed forever. The Queen Mother moves Lady Diana to Buckingham Palace to escape the press. Diana quickly begins to unravel under the strain of loneliness, and her struggles with Bulimia. Diana also meets with Camilla Parker Bowles at *Ménage a Trois*, where Diana's insecurities and suspicions of Charles and Camilla's relationship are confirmed. Diana attempts to stop the wedding, but later goes ahead with it, and marries Prince Charles in 1981 at Westminster Abbey. By 1982, Diana is pregnant with her and Charles' first son, Prince William. Diana seemingly suffers with depression and her strained relationship with Charles. In 1983, Prince Charles and Princess Diana embark on major tours of Australia and New Zealand. Princess Diana parts with royal protocol, fighting to take an infant Prince William with them. During the tour, the two become very close and arguably the happiest in their marriage. However, Charles becomes jealous of Diana's popularity. The two argue again, and her eating disorder worsens. Back in the UK, they return to separate homes. Diana sees the Queen and tells her of their unhappy marriage, but Elizabeth struggles to express her sympathies and, when Diana hugs her, Elizabeth walks out of the room. At a gala organised by the Royal Opera House in honour of Charles's birthday, Diana surprises the audience by taking the stage and performing a duet to "Uptown Girl", prompting Charles to resent her popularity. They both leave on a ski trip to Switzerland but return after surviving an avalanche that kills their friend Hugh Lindsay. When Queen Elizabeth learns both Charles and Diana have been unfaithful, she and Philip attempt to get the couple to reconcile. At a meeting, Princess Diana promises to remain faithful while Prince Charles is not given a chance to speak. Diana also resumes her affair with James Hewitt.

By 1990, Princess Diana's public popularity is immense, however her marriage is effectively ended. In Christmas, 1990, Diana travels to Balmoral with the rest of the royal family. Prince Philip tells Diana she is not the only one suffering under the Crown and advises her to concentrate her efforts on serving Queen Elizabeth, and warns her not to let her marriage fail. Diana tearfully stands with the rest of the royal family for a photograph.

In the sixth season of *The Crown*, a now-divorced Diana starts a relationship with Dodi Fayed. She was in a car with Dodi when paparazzi chased them. Their car crashed and they both died immediately on impact.

## Personality

Descriptions of the real Princess of Wales are often polarised. However, Diana is often noted for her compassion, style, charisma, and her devotion to her sons Prince William and Prince Harry. Many people have often described her as someone who was "led by her heart". According to Tina Brown, in her early years Diana possessed a "power" - shared with the Queen Mother - a charisma that would allow her to instinctively use her appeal to achieve her goals. Diana was also not without criticism, some described her as "unpredictable, egocentric, and possessive", and also manipulative of people and situations around her. It is also well known that Diana seriously struggled with her mental health, struggling with Bulimia, and depression.

*The Crown* depicts Princess Diana as a complicated young woman who goes through change throughout Season Four. At the outset, Diana is a kindhearted, inexperienced, naïve, and charismatic teenager. It is also implied that Diana is manipulative and immature to an extent. Throughout the season, Diana grows into a devoted and caring mother, and struggles immensely with her position in the royal family and with her doomed marriage to Prince Charles. Diana also begins her well-known charity work.

## Gallery

### Photos

Diana in her iconic wedding dress in FairytaleDiana and Camilla metDiana, Charles and little William in AustraliaDiana and Charles slow dancing in Terra NulliusSeason 5 promotional imageDiana (Debicki) with Charles (West)Diana steps out of carDiana in her iconic "Revenge Dress" in The Way Ahead