During her lifetime, Princess Diana, or the People’s Princess, was most photographed person in the world.
Many of those photos are until this very day considered iconic.
This incredible woman rose to prominence after her engagement to Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir apparent to the British throne, now King Charles. From the moment the world learned of her, she was under constant scrutiny. The paparazzi followed her every move, and according to many, their relentless pursuit contributed to her tragic death.
Lady Di was a devoted mother who was willing to do everything for her children, Prince William and Prince Harry. She demonstrated that her kids were her top priority, even more important than royal protocol, by breaking tradition and attending school games where she competed alongside other parents.
On the day she lost her life, August, 1997, she was running away from the paparazzi.
Over the years, Diana traveled extensively, leaving an indelible mark on history captured through lenses worldwide. One of the most iconic photographs of her was taken in 1992 during her visit to India, specifically at the Taj Mahal.
Then-President Ramaswamy Venkataraman greeted her upon arrival, and during her trip, she attended the inauguration of the Taman Special School for children. Meanwhile, Prince Charles was attending a business meeting in Bangalore, allowing Diana to pursue her own activities.
Among these was a visit to the Taj Mahal, but the iconic photo later evoked mixed emotions.
Another photo that caught plenty of attention was taken at the time Diana still worked as a nursery school teacher in London. At the time, she was 19.
Royal photographer Arthur Edwards was among those who wanted to take the perfect photo of the young girl who stole the hearts of the Britons.
At the time, he had just begun working as a photographer and was determined to locate the nursery where Diana worked. Going from person to person and asking where the preschool was, he finally found Diana’s workplace that was located in a London’s West End neighborhood.
After speaking to the school’s owner, Arthur Edwards brought Diana to a park nearby with two children.
“She posed up, and I did half a dozen pictures,” he told Today.
At one moment, Edwards, who has since photographed seven royal weddings, four funerals, and seven royal births, observed the sunlight shining on the young princess, a moment that changed everything.
“Everybody doesn’t believe this, but it is the gospel truth — halfway through, the sun came out and revealed those beautiful legs,” Edwards said, describing it as an “amazing silhouette,” and “iconic picture.”
Edwards added: “I didn’t do it on purpose, I promise. I didn’t do it to embarrass her, but it was such a good picture you couldn’t not publish it.”
After several newspapers picked up the photo, Diana was in shock and worried that she revealed too much skin. “I don’t want to be known as the girlfriend who had no petticoat,” she told Charles, as per Today.
Edwards and Diana continued working together.
The young Princess felt pressured by the media and was under constant scrutiny. They followed her every move willing to take as many pictures of her as possible and cover every aspect of her life.
Lady Di is still missed, and she always will be.