Looking back at Diana, Princess of Wales’s last birthday




diana
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

This year would’ve marked Diana, Princess of Wales’s 60th birthday, but unfortunately, it was not to be. Diana was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris just two months after her 36th birthday.

Her brother, who was with her the night of her last birthday, later spoke of that night at her funeral. He said, “The last time I saw Diana was on July 1, her birthday in London, when typically she was not taking time to celebrate her special day with friends but was guest of honour at a special charity fundraising evening. She sparkled, of course.”

Earlier that day, she had received around 90 bouquets of flowers and had spent some time writing thank-you cards for them. She was cheered by a phone call from Prince Harry, who had gathered his classmates around the phone to sing Happy Birthday to her.

Diana and her brother attended the fundraising gala in London’s Tate Gallery sponsored by Chanel, where she was the guest of honour. She wore an emerald and diamond necklace and black-beaded lace evening made by Jacques Azagury, who had given it to her as a surprise earlier that day. The designer later told Hello Magazine, “Diana loved it. I believe she had another dress to wear but ended up wearing mine.”

As she arrived, she was showered with birthday gifts from waiting fans, which she smilingly accepted. Earlier that day, her hairstylist had asked her if she planned to drink some champagne to celebrate her birthday, to which Diana had replied, “I never drink alcohol. There’s been too much of it in my family. I am spending the evening of my birthday in a room full of people I don’t know and don’t even like. The only person there that I know will be my brother. What a way to enjoy my birthday!”1

  1. Diana: The Intimate Portrait by Judy Wade p.5






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About Moniek Bloks 2835 Articles
My name is Moniek and I am from the Netherlands. I began this website in 2013 because I wanted to share these women's amazing stories.

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