22 Photos That Show What Princess Diana Was Like Before Royal Life

Located on the Queen’s own property, Diana’s childhood home of Park House put her in elite circles from an early age.

Her parents Frances and Edward Althorp had three children before Diana: daughters Sarah and Jane, and a son named John, who died shortly after his birth.

As a toddler, Diana welcomed her younger brother Charles on May 20, 1964.

“From her childhood, Diana had had the feeling that she was destined for something special,” wrote biographer Sarah Bradford. “There was never a chance that she would have, as people have surmised, settled down and led the life of a country gentleman’s wife.”

Diana plays with her brother Charles, now Viscount Althorp, at Park House.

The siblings pose for a picture at their home in Berkshire.

In a picture taken at her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, Diana (in the knee-high socks) stands with her brother, sisters and father, “Johnnie” Althorp (back right).

Diana lived a very quiet life until her parents’ bitter 1969 divorce made tabloid headlines, the Washington Post reported. Here, the 9-year-old enjoys a game of croquet while on vacation in West Sussex.