Princess Diana’s Brother Shares Unseen Childhood Photo

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Charles Spencer is missing the waves—and his sister, Princess Diana. 

On July 29, coincidentally being the 44th anniversary of his late royal wife’s marriage to King Charles III (formerly), the 9th Earl Spencer posted an old photograph of them as children.

In a sun-soaked summer of long ago, at the poolside of our childhood home, Park House, Sandringham, Charles (age 61) shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring his siblings in their swimsuits. The photograph captures Diana and him, beaming with pride as they display their swimming badges neatly stitched onto their bathing costumes.

Undeniably, those badges held significant importance for him and his late partner, Princess Diana, who tragically passed away following a car accident in Paris on the 31st of August, 1997.

Charles described the trinket as being rarely given by Mrs. Landsdowne, an intimidating yet exceptionally talented swim instructor who visited annually. He emphasized that we seldom left the swimming pool during her stays.

Despite the heartwarming background of the photo, it’s the familial resemblances that truly stand out. Diana has a charming likeness to her eldest son, Prince Harry (age 40), in this vintage image. She also shares similarities with King Charles III (age 43), who is Prince William’s father. Remarkably, her younger brother closely resembles King George, the 12-year-old oldest son of Prince William.

Charles, who is related to Lady Kitty Spencer (age 34), Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer (both 33), Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp (31), and ex-wife Victoria Lockwood, has once again reminisced about a childhood memory with Diana. In fact, he shared an Instagram tribute to his late sister in August 2023, commemorating the 26th anniversary of her passing.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it as: In those days, I, being the British aristocrat and father to Honourable Edmund Spencer (21), Lady Lara Spencer (19), and daughters Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer (12) with Caroline Feud and Karen Spencer respectively, took a heartwarming trip down memory lane, sharing a charming photo of myself and my beloved companion, Diana, from our youthful years.

Then two years earlier, he reflected on Diana’s impactful legacy. 

During his interview on Good Morning Britain in June 2021, Charles shared that he frequently hears people expressing how inspiring she was to them, how deeply they mourn her, and what special moments they spent recalling when she passed away. He found it remarkable.

Keep reading to see more moments in Diana’s iconic evolution…

Diana, the Princess, showcased a variety of styles throughout her life. Notably, when it came to gowns, she experimented with diverse necklines and silhouettes, such as off-the-shoulder ones. For instance, during her visit to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981, she chose a chiffon David Sassoon gown that boasted a pink and blue pattern, shimmery embellishments, and ribbon trim. To complement her outfit, she added a pearl choker, bracelet, earrings, and a clutch purse.

In addition to her appearance, the princess donned a lavender gown with off-shoulder style and bow accents designed by Donald Campbell at a ballet event in Auckland, New Zealand, back in 1983. Accompanying her was her spouse then, King Charles (once known as Prince Charles). To complete her elegant ensemble, she chose the Prince of Wales Feathers necklace and pearl earrings for her accessories.

Without a doubt, spectators can’t help but recall her iconic “revenge gown,” a masterpiece created by Christina Stambolian that Diana showcased at the Vanity Fair gathering held at London’s Serpentine Gallery in 1994. She chose to wear this dress on the very same evening when ITN broadcasted an interview with her ex-husband Charles, during which he admitted his faithfulness to Diana had ended only when their marriage “irreparably deteriorated.

Back in 1985, I was utterly captivated when Lady Diana danced the night away with John Travolta, all while wearing that stunning midnight blue velvet Victor Edelstein gown at the White House. Fast forward nearly a decade, and that very same dress has become legendary, earning the nickname “Travolta dress.

In terms of her clothing choices, Diana was known to sport a variety of vibrant colors. One color that stood out among many she frequently wore was pink. For example, during a trip to Sicily in 1985, Diana donned a pink Catherine Walker dress with full sleeves and a pleated skirt. She completed the look with a matching hat by John Boyd, a white handbag, and pearls.

On her 1995 visit to Argentina, Diana opted for a Versace outfit in the same tone, accessorizing with golden knot earrings, a black handbag, and footwear that matched the color scheme.

Additionally, Diana often paired daring adornments, such as the eye-catching choker necklace she donned with her shimmering ensemble to match her violet Versace gown at a grand dinner event held at Chicago’s Field Museum back in 1996.

In the same vein, during her 1985 Royal Tour of Italy with Charles, Diana adorned a pearl choker necklace at a Commonwealth War Graves ceremony in Anzio. Her statement neckpiece complemented her pearl earrings. Moreover, she accessorized further by wearing a red and white hat that harmonized with her red striped dress designed by Catherine Walker, as well as a gold watch.

You’ll also admire how skillfully she employs color blocking. For example, consider the striking combination of blue and white, as showcased by Diana in her Catherine Walker suit and Philip Somerville hat during her trip to Dubai in 1989.

Or her use of pink and red in her suit and hat by the designers during the same visit.

In the ’80s, Diana was often seen wearing puffed sleeves, but her most iconic dress was undoubtedly the one she wore for her wedding to Charles in 1981. This stunning gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, boasted a scooped neckline with ruffles and bows, a lace-overlaid bodice, a full skirt, and an impressive 25-foot train. However, Diana and Charles separated in 1992, and their divorce was finalized four years later.

On occasion, Diana favored one-shoulder evening gowns. For instance, in 1985, she donned a white, crystalline bead-embroidered silk chiffon dress designed by Hachi during her visit to the National Gallery in Washington D.C.

Additionally, at a charity event for Birthright, where she served as a patron, Diana donned another eye-catching piece – a blue, off-center-hemmed dress designed by Bruce Oldfield, adorned with ruffles and a round motif. To complete her stylish ensemble, she accessorized with a pearl choker necklace, matching bracelet, earrings, and a clutch.

In terms of outer garments, Diana often showcased a diverse selection – from varsity jackets, woolen coats, and puffers. At times, she would casually sling her jackets over her shoulders, such as when she wore her white coat on top of the floral Donald Campbell dress at Hampshire Airport during the early days of her 1981 honeymoon with Charles, using it to complete her ensemble.

In a similar fashion, Diana adorned a black jacket over her coordinated dress when she visited the Alfred Dunhill store in London back in 1994. To complete the ensemble, she added pearls, a delicate bracelet, a black handbag with a golden chain, and a touch of elegance.

80’s fashion saw a craze for large, prominent belts, and Diana seemed to be quite fond of this style. During her trip to Bangkok, Thailand in 1988, she donned a turquoise belt that accentuated the divide between her patterned blouse and white pencil skirt.

Additionally, the princess accessorized her blue, ruffled Bruce Oldfield gown at the state dinner in New Brunswick during her 1983 Canadian Royal Tour with a silver belt. This accessory coordinated perfectly with her silver handbag. Moreover, the outfit shimmered elegantly due to her Spencer tiara and earrings adorned with precious stones.

In 1985, at the London premiere of “Back to the Future,” Diana chose an unconventional method to showcase her necklace by wearing it reversed, draping it over the backless, deep purple velvet Catherine Walker gown she was wearing, rather than the traditional way.

This monarch possessed a variety of eye-catching suits in her closet, including the striped ensemble she donned at a 1996 Christmas gathering for the charity Centrepoint in London.

In addition, Diana donned a white coat dress designed by Catherine Walker and paired it with a hat from Graham Smith while she was on a trip to the Isle of Wight in 1985.

Even though they opted for a more laid-back look, Princess Diana managed to keep her style chic. For instance, she looked fabulous wearing denim overalls paired with a white T-shirt at a 1987 polo match with her oldest son in Windsor.

In the year 1981, she strolled through Cowdray Park Polo Club in Gloucestershire wearing a vibrant yellow overall set and a lively floral blouse, accompanied by Sarah Ferguson.

Indeed, even royalty craves comfort apparel; just like Diana did when she stepped out of her London fitness center, clad in a cozy Fly Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt, vibrant orange bike shorts, and stylish black-and-white sneakers back in 1995. The anticipation built as that night saw the broadcast of her groundbreaking BBC Panorama interview.

Diana often expressed her support for causes dear to her by incorporating them into her fashion choices. For example, at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor in 1988, she donned a sweatshirt emblazoned with the British Lung Foundation’s logo, an organization of which she was patron. She completed this look with a black blazer, blue jeans, a baseball cap, hoop earrings, and brown boots.

In August of 1997, Diana effortlessly exuded her stylish charm as she departed from her London gym, dressed casually in a Harvard sweatshirt, black Nike bike shorts, and sneakers. Unfortunately, this fashionable princess, who was frequently pursued by paparazzi, met a tragic end later that month due to a car accident in Paris.

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2025-07-29 20:49