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

Engaged at 19 and married at 20, Princess Diana's childhood ended much sooner than the average woman's. But before her fairytale wedding, Lady Diana Spencer lived a relatively quiet life that involved piano lessons, odd jobs and a very '70s bridesmaid dress. 1. 1963 Located on the Queen's own property, Diana's childhood home of Park House put her in elite circles from an early age. GETTY 2. 1963 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. GETTY 3. 1964 As a toddler, Diana welcomed her younger brother Charles on May 20, 1964. GETTY 4. 1965 "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." GETTY 5. 1967 Diana plays with her brother Charles, now Viscount Althorp, at Park House. GETTY 6. 1968 The siblings pose for a picture at their home in Berkshire. GETTY 7. 1969 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). GETTY 8. 1970 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. GETTY 9. 1970 She continued to live in Park House with her father until she left for boarding school in the fall of 1970. GETTY 10. 1970 Described as a "shy and quiet" child, Diana allegedly told her father upon their separation, "If you love me, you won't leave me here," according to the new book Remembering Diana. GETTY 11. 1971 As a student, Diana particularly excelled at piano and ballet, and received a special award for community service, the Royal Household website states. GETTY 12. 1974 The teen (with some very '70s denim!) kept a pet pony named "Scuffle." By 1975, she would become Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer. GETTY 13. 1978 Right around the time she attended a Swiss finishing school, Diana served as a bridesmaid at her sister Lady Jane Spencer's London wedding. At this point she had already met Prince Charles — when he was dating her other sister, Lady Sarah. GETTY 14. 1980 In 1980, the heir apparent started taking a serious interest in the 19-year-old as a potential bride. Diana was living in London at this point, intermittently working as a dance instructor, nanny and nursery assistant. Here she is at her job with Young England Kindergarten school in Pimlico. GETTY 15. 1980 The press caught wind of their budding relationship by the fall of that year. When this picture was taken in September, "Shy Di" had allegedly "gently reversed her car into a tree, whilst trying to drive and shield her face from the photographer at the same time." GETTY 16. 1980 By November, Diana received an invitation to the Queen's own house at Sandringham, sparking further engagement rumors. Here she is leaving her London apartment the week before. GETTY 17. 1980 Before she earned the status of fashion icon, the future bride topped her evening gown with a plain wool coat at Princess Margaret's 50th birthday party. Of course she would soon own hundreds of designer dresses. GETTY 18. 1981 Prince Charles proposed to the 19-year-old in February 1981. She picked her engagement ring — an 18-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds — out of the Gerrad jewelry catalog. GETTY 19. 1981 With a wedding set for July, Lady Diana Spencer kicked back in rubber boots and a casual sweater while at the Scottish royal residence Balmoral. GETTY 20. 1981 Crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the future princess during a visit to Tetbury on May 22, 1981. GETTY 21. 1981 The media frequently followed Diana in the summer days leading up the wedding. Here she is in Windsor after the Ascot races on June 16, 1981. GETTY 22. 1981 The constant press attention wore down on Diana. At one polo match that July, "the persistence of the paparazzi" caused the 20-year-old to start crying, the Washington Post reported at the time. With her wedding only a few days away, her life in the spotlight had officially begun. GETTY Credits: goodhousekeeping Share this story on Facebook with your friends. Related: The Real Reason Prince Charles And Princess Diana Divorced Princes William And Harry To Talk About Diana’s Death For BBC Documentary