Who was Princess Diana and what happened on the night of her death?

Princess Diana of Wales - Credit: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Who was Diana, Princess of Wales?

Born Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961, her father, Edward John Viscount Althorp, was the only son of the 7th Earl Spencer. Her mother, born Frances Ruth Burke Roche, was the youngest daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy.

The Spencers had served the Royal Family for generations. Diana's great-grandfather, the 6th Earl Spencer, was Lord Chamberlain to both Edward VII and George V. All four of her great-aunts on the Spencer side became members of the Queen Mother's household and her father was equerry to both George VI and the Queen.

After her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975, she became known as Lady Diana Spencer.

Princess Diana's most iconic fashion moments
How did she meet Prince Charles?

Lady Diana met Prince Charles at Althorp in 1977; she was 16 and he was 29. The Prince was a member of a shooting party as a guest of Lady Diana's eldest sister, Lady Sarah. The Prince and Princess both recalled later that the meeting could be seen as the first landmark on the road to their marriage three and a half years later.

After Lady Diana spent a weekend at Balmoral as the guest of Prince Charles, a tabloid headline of 8 September 1980 proclaimed: "He's in Love Again". This sparked the press' obsession with Diana, which would follow her until her death.

The Prince and Princess of Wales on their honeymoon in Balmoral Credit: PA

Diana's wedding to Prince Charles

Prince Charles and Diana leaving the church after their wedding Credit: Fox Photos

Charles and Diana married on July 29, 1981 at London's St Paul's Cathedral, three weeks after her 20th birthday.

The bride wore an Emanuel designed gown with 25ft train. Diana's nerves were clear to all - she mixed up the Prince's names calling him Philip Charles Arthur George instead of Charles Philip.

But that did not stop the Archbishop of Canterbury commenting that the marriage was "the stuff of which fairytales are made".

The wedding took place in front of a congregation of 2,500 and the largest worldwide television audience ever recorded at the time, some 750 million people.

Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry in Austria in 1993 Credit:  Ian Jones

What were her Royal duties?

As Princess of Wales, Diana undertook royal duties with Prince Charles on behalf of the Queen and represented her at functions around the world.

Famous for her charity work, she was president of Barnado's and London's Great Ormond Street Hospital; plus, her patronages included the British Red Cross, Headway, the British Deaf Association and Help the Aged, among others.

The Princess is also well known for her work with AIDS victims, children with Leukaemia and for the removal of landmines. One of the most enduring images of her was taken on a visit to Angola in 1997 where she was photographed walking through a minefield cleared by The Halo Trust charity.

Diana pictured in Angola where she walked through a recently cleared minefield. Credit: AP
The birth of her children, William and Harry

After their wedding, the royal couple took up residence at Kensington Palace and Highgrove House, near Tetbury and on 5 November 1981 they announced Diana was pregnant with their first child.

Born on 21 June 1982 in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, their first son and heir was named Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. William's children George and Charlotte, who were born in 2013 and 2015, were both born in the same wing.

Diana and Prince Charles with Prince William six months after his birth Credit: PA

On 15 September 1984 Diana gave birth to their second son, Henry Charles Albert David - affectionately known by the Royal family and the public as Harry.

Diana was applauded as a refreshingly hands-on mother to the Royal children. She chose their nanny, schools and clothing, even taking them to school herself whenever she could.

When did the marriage breakdown?

In December 1992, Prime Minister John Major announced the couple's "amicable separation" to the House of Commons, with Diana announcing her withdrawal from public life on 3 December 1993.

This didn't come as a surprise because by the late 1980s, Charles and Diana's separate lives had become public knowledge.

The Princess famously signalled that her marriage was over in 1992 when she posed for pictures alone outside India's Taj Mahal - regarded as the world's most romantic building - while on a royal visit with her husband.

Diana, Princess of Wales in front of the Taj Mahal in India in 1992.

When she was asked by the media what she had thought of the Taj Mahal, the Princess said: "It was a healing experience, very healing." Asked what she meant by that, she replied: "Work it out for yourself."

Two years after the separation, in November 1995, Diana took part in a famously open interview for the BBC current affairs show Panorama.

When asked about Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles - whom he met in 1971 and dated until 1973 - Diana famously quipped: "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

She also cast doubt on the Prince's ability to rule, saying: "Because I know the character I would think that the top job, as I call it, would bring enormous limitations to him, and I don't know whether he could adapt to that."

Diana also confirmed her affair with James Hewitt, saying: "Yes, I adored him. Yes, I was in love with him. But I was very let down [by him]."

Diana gives her shock interview on Panorama in 1995.

The Queen swiftly advised Prince Charles and Diana to divorce, sending both a letter just one month later, on 20 December.

In February 1996, Diana irritated the Queen by issuing her own announcement on the divorce, stating: "The Princess of Wales has agreed to Prince Charles's request for a divorce. The Princess will continue to be involved in all decisions relating to the children and will remain at Kensington Palace with offices in St James's Palace. The Princess of Wales will retain the title and be known as Diana, Princess of Wales."

The Palace quickly contradicted this statement, saying: "We can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales had a private meeting this afternoon at St James's Palace. At this meeting details of the divorce settlement and the Princess's future role were not discussed. All the details on these matters, including titles, remain to be discussed and settled. This will take time."

The couple officially divorced on 28 August 1996; while Diana did keep the title of Diana, Princess of Wales, she lost the Her Royal Highness title.
How did Princess Diana die?

Princess Diana died following a horrific car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

The 36-year-old princess was being driven at high speed in a Mercedes S-280 after she left the Ritz Hotel when the vehicle crashed into a pillar in a tunnel under the Alma bridge at around half-past midnight.

Diana, her then boyfriend Dodi Fayed, 41, son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods department store, and driver Henri Paul, all died in the late-night crash. Her bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived.

Mr Paul and Mr Fayed died on the spot, while the princess died from her injuries in a nearby hospital a few hours later.

Investigations carried out by both French and British authorities concluded that Mr Paul was responsible for the crash. He was drunk and on anti-depressants when he lost control of the Mercedes as it sped through the tunnel that lies next to the River Seine, while trying to shake off paparazzi photographers.

The mangled wreck of the Mercedes is removed from the scene of the Paris crash in 1997. Credit:  Abaca / FlynetPictures.co.uk
What happened at the inquest?

After six months of extraordinary claims and counter-claims from more than 250 witnesses, in April 2008 an inquest jury at the Royal Courts of Justice in London returned verdicts of unlawful killing for both the Princess and her boyfriend Dodi - the equivalent of manslaughter in a criminal court.

They said that the paparazzi who pursued the Princess's car and its driver Mr Paul were both to blame for the crash because of their "gross negligence".

The jury also concluded that the couple might have lived if they had worn seatbelts.

Diana and Dodi's final embrace was caught on camera at Paris's Ritz Hotel as they waited for their car. Credit: PA
Conspiracy theories were rife

Conspiracy theories around Diana's death continued to circulate for years after her death. Here are some of the most persistent.

Diana's death was ordered by her family

Some of the most popular theories stem from the suggestion that Diana was pregnant with Dodi's child and the couple were about to get engaged. The story goes that the Royal Family could not bear the inevitable scandal - let alone the idea of Diana marrying a non-Christian. Therefore, one of the inevitable conclusions that has been drawn is that Diana's death was ordered by her own family.

MI6 was involved in her death

Richard Tomlinson was a former MI6 agent who was dismissed from the intelligence services and later served time in prison for breaching the Official Secrets Act 1989. Tomlinson alleged that agents had been monitoring Diana and that her death mirrored plans he saw in 1992 for the assassination of the President of Serbia. An inquiry was launched which eventually concluded that Tomlinson's claims were an embellishment.

Throughout the inquest, Mr Fayed, maintained that Diana and Dodi were "murdered" by MI6 on the orders of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Mohammed Al Fayed is pictured at the start of the inquest into Diana and Dodi's death in 2007. Credit:  Geoff Pugh

Mysterious white Fiat Uno

Analysis of the wreckage of the Mercedes showed that it had come into contact with a white Fiat Uno, leaving traces of paint on the Mercedes bodywork. Mr Fayed alleged that the vehicle was used by the "security services" to block the road in front of the Mercedes, causing it to swerve and crash into the side of the tunnel. The vehicle was never found.

Lack of CCTV images

Mr Fayed stated in 2003 that there were about ten video cameras on the route taken by the Mercedes, including one on the entrance to the tunnel itself, but there are no recordings from any of these for the night in question. The Independent also stated in 2006 that there were more than 14 CCTV cameras in the Pont de l'Alma underpass, but none recorded footage of the fatal collision.

Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed in St Tropez on August 22, 1997 - just a few days before they were killed in the Paris car crash. Credit:  AP

Seatbelts were sabotaged

Both Diana and Dodi were not restrained by their seatbelts at the time of the crash prompting some to suggest that they may have been sabotaged. French investigators declared all the seatbelts operational in 1998. Analysis of the wreckage of the car after its repatriation to England in 2005 found that all the seatbelts were in good working order bar Diana's, although it is thought that the damage took place after the accident.

Henri Paul's involvement

The fact that he actually died in the accident would seem to provide fairly conclusive evidence that he was not behind the crash, but according to conspiracy theorists Mr Paul was in the pay of a national security service. The main piece of evidence for this is supposedly the fact that he had a lot of cash on his person at the time of the car accident.

The scene at Kensington Palace in the days after Diana's death. Credit: Jeff Gilbert
How did the Royal family react to her death?

The Queen was accused by some of a failure to capture the mood of the nation in the days following the death.

Public anger began as a result of the decision to issue an apparent "business-as-usual" message by taking Princes William and Harry to church at Balmoral, a few hours after Prince Charles had broken the news to them of their mother's death.

There were also accusations that the Queen remained in Scotland for too long, and did not return quickly enough to London, which had become the focal point for public grief over the Princess' death.
How did the nation react?

The national outpouring of grief following Diana's death was unprecedented.

Diana was the first genuine royal celebrity according to Andrew Marr, and her death shook the British in a way no other royal event in modern times has done.

On the day of her death, Tony Blair, still fresh in his job as Prime Minister, addressed the nation from outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Trimdon in his Sedgefield constituency.

The Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry inspect thousands of bouquets of floral tributes to their mother Diana, Princess of Wales, outside Kensington Palace on September 5, 1997. Credit: AFP

"She was the people’s princess and that’s how she will stay, how she will remain in our hearts and in our memories forever," Mr Blair declared.

The speech, scribbled by Mr Blair on the back of an envelope, following discussions with Alastair Campbell, his director of communications, was watched by millions and featured in the film The Queen.

In the days, weeks and months that followed, hundreds of thousands of mourners flocked to London to sign the book of condolence and to lay flowers outside Kensington Palace which became a place of pilgrimage.
Where was Diana's funeral?

The Princess's funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997. Attended by 2,000 people, 32.10 million people watched the service in the UK and an estimated 2.5 billion people watched it worldwide.

William and Harry walked behind her coffin in the funeral procession, as well as the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, her brother Lord Spencer and representatives of some of her charities.

In an interview earlier this year, Harry discussed his memories of the funeral: "My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today."

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles in the funeral procession Credit:  JEFF J. MITCHELL

Elton John performed a re-written version of the song Candle in the Wind at the service as a tribute to the Princess.

Her brother Lord Spencer spoke at at the funeral, calling Diana "a very British girl who transcended nationality. Someone with a natural nobility who was classless and who proved in the last year that she needed no royal title to continue to generate her particular brand of magic."

Earlier this year, Prince Harry exclusively told the Daily Telegraph that he sought counselling after enduring two years of "total chaos" while still struggling in his late twenties to come to terms with the death of his mother.

He told Bryony Gordon that he had "shut down all his emotions" for almost two decades.
Where is Princess Diana buried?

Princess Diana is buried on an island in the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family home in Northamptonshire. A private burial took place at the estate following the funeral.

The estate is the main visitor attraction for those wanting to find out more Diana, although there are many other memorials to her, including The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London's Hyde Park.

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven mile loop taking visitors through four of London’s parks: St James's Park; Green Park; Hyde Park; and Kensington Gardens.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is located next to the Princess’ Kensington Palace home, and is tribute to her love of the innocence of childhood.

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Sweet, Heartbreaking Things William and Harry Have Said About Princess Diana

Princess Diana and Harry with William on his first day at Eton in September 1995.

It's been nearly 20 years since Princess Diana's tragic death, and the anniversary has brought a renewed interest in her extraordinary (and sometimes scandalous) life as a royal. When Diana passed away in a car accident in August 1997, she left behind her two sons, William and Harry, who were 15 and 12, respectively, at the time. The princes have begun opening up about their mother's death in recent years and have admitted that it took time for them to feel comfortable talking about the huge loss. William told a young boy at a charity event that he was "very angry" about Diana's death and "found it very difficult to talk about."

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Remembering Princess Diana's Sweetest Mom Moments

William and Harry at their mother's funeral in September 1997.

Prince William

    "Time makes it easier. I still miss my mother every day — and it's 20 years after she died."
    "Twenty-one years ago, my mother attended the launch of the Child Bereavement charity. Fifteen years later, I was honored to be invited to become patron of Child Bereavement UK to continue my mother's commitment to a charity which is very dear to me. What my mother recognized back then, and what I understand now, is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure."
    "I never realized quite how much of an impact she had. I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me for causes such as [AIDS research in Africa]."
    "Initially, there is a sense of profound shock and disbelief that this could ever happen to you. Real grief often does not hit home until much later. For many it is a grief never entirely lost. Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost. I know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories."
    "Losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can ever endure. Never being able to say the word 'Mummy' again in your life sounds like a small thing. I too have felt — and still feel — the emptiness on such a day as Mother's Day."
    "Part of the reason why Harry and I want to do this is because we feel we owe it to her. I think an element of it is feeling like we let her down when we were younger. We couldn't protect her."
    "I am in a better place about it than I have been for a long time, where I can talk about her more openly, talk about her more honestly, and I can remember her better, and publicly talk about her better. It has taken me almost 20 years to get to that stage."
    "I still find it difficult now because at the time it was so raw. And also it is not like most people's grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her. It is a different situation for most people who lose someone they love, it can be hidden away or they can choose if they want to share their story."
    "When it came to the wedding, I did really feel that she was there. You know, there was times when you look to someone or something for strength, and I very much felt she was there for me."
    "I would like to have had her advice. I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up. It makes me sad that she won't, that they will never know her."
    "The very last memory I have is a phone call from Balmoral [Castle in Scotland]. At the time, Harry and I were running around, minding our own business, playing with our cousins and having a very good time. Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say 'Goodbye, see you later, can I go off?' If I'd known what was going to happen I wouldn't have been quite so blasé about it. That phone call sticks in my mind quite heavily."
    "It's hard because obviously Catherine didn't know her, so she cannot really provide that, that level of detail. I just try and remind [George and Charlotte] that there are two grandmothers, there were two grandmothers in their lives, and so it's important that they know who she was and that she existed."
    "She'd be a nightmare grandmother, absolute nightmare," William teased. "She'd love the children to bits, but she'd be an absolute nightmare. She'd come and go and she'd come in probably at bath time, cause an amazing amount of scene, bubbles everywhere, bathwater all over the place and — and then leave."
    "I want to make as much time and effort with Charlotte and George as I can because I realize that these early years particularly are crucial for children, and having seen, you know, what she did for us."

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Remembering Princess Diana's Sweetest Mom Moments

In addition to speaking about their mother in interviews, William and Harry have taken on a number of her charities and both consider her legacy as one of the driving forces behind their philanthropic efforts. Recently, William bonded with young children who have lost their own parents, telling a little girl, "I lost my mummy when I was young, too. It's very important to talk about it." He and Harry are also erecting a memorial statue in the public gardens of Kensington Palace this year to commemorate her death and her positive impact in the UK and around the world. See more of the sweet, heartbreaking things that Harry and William have said about their late mum.

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10 Family Traditions Princess Diana Passed On to William and Harry

Prince Harry

    "I never really dealt with what had actually happened. So there was a lot of buried emotion, and I still didn't even want to think about it."
    "I really regret not talking about it. It is OK to suffer, but as long as you talk about it. It is not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognizing it and not solving that problem."
    "It's a huge shame she's not here. But I hope she'd be incredibly proud of what we managed to achieve."
    "I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags — we were going to Africa to get away from it all."
    "We will do everything we can to make sure she's never forgotten, and carry on all of the special gifts and such that she had and that she portrayed when she was alive. I hope that a lot of my mother's talents are shown in the work that I do."
    "I hope she's looking down [at our family] with tears in her eyes being incredibly proud of what we've established. I'm sure she's longing for me to have kids so she can be a grandmother again . . . but I hope that everything we do privately and officially, that it makes her proud."
    "Losing your mother at such a young age does end up shaping your life massively, of course it does. And now I find myself trying to be there and give advice to other people who are in similar positions."
    "Every day, depending on what I'm doing, I wonder what it would be like if she was here, and what she would say, and how she would be making everybody else laugh. Who knows what the situation would be, what the world would be like, if she were still around."
    "Not to get too personal, if you lose your mum at the age of 12 then you've got to deal with it and the idea that . . . 15, 17 years later I still hadn't dealt with it, Afghan was the moment. I was like 'right — deal with it.'"
    "My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don't think it would happen today."
    ""My mother died when I was very young. I didn't want to be in the position I was in, but I eventually pulled my head out of the sand, started listening to people and decided to use my role for good."
    "My mother took a huge part in showing me an ordinary life, including taking me and my brother to see homeless people. Thank goodness I'm not completely cut off from reality. People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live."
    "I intuitively know what my mother would like me to do and want to progress with work she couldn't complete."
    "She had the most wonderful sense of humor and always wanted to make things fun for us, as well as protect us."
    "I think it's never going to be easy for the two of us to talk about our mother, but 20 years on seems like a good time to remind people of the difference that she made not just to the royal family, but also to the world."
    "I can't necessarily remember what I said but all I do remember is regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was. If I'd known that that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother, the things I would have said to her. Looking back at it now — it's incredibly hard. I have to deal with that for the rest of my life: not knowing that it was the last time I'd speak to my mum, how differently that conversation would have panned out if I'd had even the slightest inkling that her life was going to be taken that night."

Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein

Queen Elizabeth II Did Something at Diana's Funeral That the Public Did Not See Coming
August 8, 2017 by Brittney Stephens

Princess Diana was honored with a public funeral on Sept. 6, 1997, seven days after her tragic death. The event brought in an estimated 2.5 billion viewers, while another three million crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace to her final resting place at the Spencer family home in Althorp. Diana's two sons, William and Harry, joined the funeral procession at St. James's Palace alongside their father, grandfather, and uncle Earl Spencer. The coffin, accompanied by eight Welsh Guards, passed Buckingham Palace, where members of the royal family waited outside. Queen Elizabeth II was one of them, and as Diana's coffin was carried past her, she made a very rare move: she bowed her head.

The queen's gesture is remarkable for a couple of reasons; first, while it is customary for others to bow (or curtsy) to her majesty, she is not technically required to bow or curtsy to others. She made a solemn, unexpected acknowledgment to her former daughter-in-law's casket that she rarely does for anyone else.

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Second, there was a huge amount of drama within the royal family after Diana's death, including the fact that Queen Elizabeth II had insisted that Diana's ceremony be private — she faced "fierce resistance" from Prince Charles, and then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair also agreed that Diana should be laid out at St. James's Palace with a public funeral held at Westminster Abbey. Because the queen was so highly criticized for her silence and "business-as-usual" behavior in the wake of Diana's death, her bowing at the coffin attempted to send a message of compassion, honor, and genuine grief.

Prince Philip Is Officially Retired! The Royal Attends His Last Public Engagement
August 2, 2017

Prince Philip is officially on retirement time. The 96-year-old royal attended his last official public engagement on Wednesday when he took part in a parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, which raises funds and awareness for The Royal Marines Charity, at Buckingham Palace. Despite the pouring rain, Philip met with representatives from the organization, veterans, and cadets before receiving the 1664 Global Challenge baton and three cheers from the crowd. The event certainly holds special significance to the prince, who was appointed captain general in succession to Queen Elizabeth II's late father, King George VI, nearly 64 years ago.

Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip's last duty in a statement in July, saying, "The Duke of Edinburgh will no longer undertake his own program of public engagements. The Captain General's Parade will bring His Royal Highness's individual program to a conclusion, although he may choose to attend certain events, alongside The Queen, from time to time." The royal first announced his decision to retire in May with full support from the queen. Over the past 70 years, Philip has carried out royal duties on behalf of over 780 organizations.

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Popular Destinations for Flights

Amsterdam

When millennials speak of Amsterdam, you definitely know it’s a party. This city is one of the best preserved in all of Europe with more than 50 miles of canals and more than 6,000 buildings. You cannot walk for long without noticing a masterpiece in the city. There are many museums here, art galleries for those who love art, as well as some of Europe’s hottest clubs. One interesting thing in Amsterdam is the love to ride bikes – you’ll find plenty of bike-rental shops where you can gear up and go out for a spin.

When visiting this remarkable city, it’s like time stops and you tend to forget your troubles just for a moment. With this travel guide, you will be able to go beyond the weed and the red lights and discover the real Amsterdam.
Amsterdam weather and best time to visit

People visit Amsterdam with different agendas; some tourists just want to see the tulips so they visit from mid-April to early May. Some visitors only come for the New Year’s celebration; there’s a lot of partying going on then. However, if you want to enjoy a quieter and more relaxed Amsterdam, visit from October to March. July and August are the busiest months.

In terms of weather, January is the coldest while August is the hottest.
Getting Around Amsterdam

As discussed earlier, you can rent a bike and use the bike lanes to go wherever you want to go. Public transportation is also convenient (trains, buses and metros). You can get a chip card for about $9. You could also ask for a tourist pass from your driver.
What You Should Know Before Visiting Amsterdam

It is advisable to plan ahead since during the summer most of the attractions are usually busy. Be careful with your wallets as the city is well known for pick-pockets. Also be cautious when you are riding the tram or buying something in the markets.

Best of Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

This museum is one of the finest in the world. Make sure you arrive before 10am to avoid big crowds.
Anne Frank Huis

Another beautiful museum that gets more than 1 million visitors every year. Don’t miss this powerful experience.
Vondelpark

If you are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying some peace and quiet, make a trip to this top choice park in the city.

Van Gogh museum

The Van Gogh museum is very fascinating, you will definitely be moved as you see Van Gogh’s life and how he developed through art.
A’DAM Tower

If you want to get the inspiring views of Amsterdam, take the lift to the top of this tower. You can also climb aboard the giant four-person swing for some fun rides with your kids.
Other places to visit in Amsterdam

    Museum het Rembranthuis
    De Hallen
    Hermitage Amsterdam
    Amsterdam City Canal Cruise
    ARTIS Amsterdam
    De Duif
    Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Prince George to start school with mum and dad by his side

When Prince George starts school on Thursday, he will no doubt be just as nervous as any other four-year-old.

But the third-in-line to the throne will have some familiar faces by his side, as Kensington Palace announce both his mother and father will be joining him for the school run.

The Duke of Cambridge will be there to hold his son's hand for his first day at Thomas’ Battersea, as the Cambridge family settles full-time in London to support the Queen in her duties.

The decision makes good on a promise made by the Duchess when she met fellow Thomas’ parents earlier this year and told them: “I may see you at the school gates”.

The Duke and Duchess have spoken often of their wish to be hands-on parents, emphasising the importance of encouraging Prince George and Princess Charlotte of speaking about their emotions.

The young Prince William was taken to his first day at school, in January 1987 at Wetherby, by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, while his father was unexpectedly stuck in a snowstorm.

Both the Prince and Princess took Prince Harry for his first day, accompanied for photographs by a lively Prince William. The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied the young Prince Charles for his first day at Cheam.

Prince William on his first day of school, January 1987

The school run on Thursday heralds the start of a new era for the Cambridge family, as they base themselves at Kensington Palace full time.

A full programme of engagements through the autumn will see the Duke, along with other senior members of the Royal Family, step up support his grandmother The Queen, and continue his key charitable interests.

As well as an overseas trip in November, Kensington Palace said he would focus on initiatives dealing with homelessness, conservation, cyber-bullying.

Prince Charles arrives at Cheam School in 1957 with his mother, The Queen, and father Prince Philip

The Duchess, who will also be helping Prince George settle into school and Princess Charlotte start nursery, will undertake engagements publicising addiction, family breakdown and the importance of early intervention.

Prince George, meanwhile, will be busy at Thomas's, described by The Good Schools Guide as "busy" and "slightly chaotic", with 19 different languages spoken in pupils' homes.

The school, where fees cost from £17,604 a year, was reviewed as "a big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy.

That is what they want and, to a large degree, that is what they get".

Kate Middleton Honored Princess Diana's Life in the Sweetest Way Today
31.08.17

In the wake of the 20-year anniversary of Princess Diana's death, Kate Middleton spent the day honoring her memory along with Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The three paid a visit to the former Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, which has been transformed into the White Garden and filled with white roses, lilies, gladioli, and cosmos flowers.

The new blooms were planted in dedication to the late Princess, and were inspired by her charitable work and her unforgettable style, including the famous white "Elvis" Catherine Walker dress. "The engagement will allow the Princes to pay tribute to the life and work of their mother the day before the twentieth anniversary of her death," an earlier statement from Kensington Palace said.

According to CNN, during their visit they met with various charities that were meaningful to the late Princess Diana, such as people from the U.K.'s homeless charity Centrepoint, the National AIDS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Leprosy Mission and the Landmine Survivors Network.

The Duchess wore Prada's Poppy Silk-Crepe Dress (which retails for a cool $2,340) as she strolled through the garden with an umbrella and Prince William and Prince Harry by her side. We imagine the royal family has more plans to honor Diana's life tomorrow, on the exact date of the twentieth anniversary of her death.

Kate Middleton was in good spirits despite the dreary weather as she walked around the garden.

The royal family members were spotted in a conversation with gardener Sean Harkin.

Below are the delicate white flowers that were planted in Princess Diana's honor. The transformed garden will continue to be open for public viewing through September.

Queen Elizabeth
had an emotional message for victims of Hurricane Harvey

Tropical storm Harvey has wrecked havoc on parts of Texas and Louisiana all week, with one more devastating image after another. Donald Trump visited the region on Tuesday and pledged to rebuild, but its going to take a lot of time after the unprecedented amount of rainfall and flooding. The damage has drawn the attention of world leaders including Queen Elizabeth, who sent a message to Harvey victims that really puts things into perspective. She reportedly reached out to Trump, and then released an emotional statement on Friday, writing:

The damage from Harvey is still being assessed, but the numbers are already staggering. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, at least 49,000 homes in Texas were damaged in the flood and 200,000 homes still don’t have power. Almost 800,000 people were evacuated from Texas and Louisiana in the storm, although authorities are starting to allow some people to return to their homes in order to get a handle on the damage to their personal property.