16 Shocking Secrets You Never Knew About Princess Diana

Find out who she slapped in anger and what she did on stage that surprised everyone!

By Carissa Mosness Updated: November 16, 2023

Princess Diana wearing a tiara in 1985 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty

The beloved, late Diana, Princess of Wales, is truly a timeless icon. From winning the love of the world with her kindness and philanthropy to her iconic black revenge dress to her tragic and shocking death in 1997, she has definitely upheld her title as “the people’s princess.” For decades, scholars and fans have studied Princess Diana hoping to learn more facts about her life … and we are no different. The world is drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Born as The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, she only continued to climb up the royal ranks, becoming a lady in 1975 and then a Princess Diana in 1981 after her marriage to Prince Charles, now King Charles III. During her time as a princess, family was important to Diana, especially her two sons, Prince William and Prince Henry (Harry), and even after her divorce in 1996, she continued to be a loving mother to her beloved sons.

With the final season of the hit Netflix series The Crown — which dramatically portrays the Royal family through the decades — premiering on November 16th and the first half focusing on Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed’s courtship, we have rounded up our favorite 16 Princess Diana facts that are guaranteed to not only surprise the most ardent fan, but also make you love her heart even more.

For instance, did you know that she once held this *regular* job or that she is related to eight former United States of America presidents? Well, neither did we! Keep scrolling for more interesting secrets.

16 little-known Princess Diana facts

She wasn't a good student

1969/1980 Fox Photos / Stringer/Getty; Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana did not make good grades in school. She failed important exams and had to leave the West Heath School at age 16.
She wanted to be in the ballet

Princess Diana visiting the ballet in 1997 Dave Benett / Contributor/Getty
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Though academics weren't for her, Princess Diana was a very talented dancer. She actually wanted to be a ballerina when she was much younger.
She used to teach young children

Diana visiting a school in 1997 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana was a kindergarten teacher at Young England Kindergarten before her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in 1980. This was a surprising career choice because she was reportedly so bad at academics, but she certainly had a heart for helping children.
She is related to a few U.S presidents

Diana in 1995, George Washington portrait, 1779 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty; GraphicaArtis / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana is a distant relative of eight presidents of the United States, including our very first! She is the eighth cousin five times removed from George Washington.
She had a favorite flowers

Diana carrying white roses in 1997 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty; Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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White roses were Princess Diana's favorite flowers, and she was seen with them quite often, even on her wedding day.
She hated her tiaras

Princess Diana wearing a tiara in 1985 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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Though Princess Diana looked absolutely regal in tiaras, she didn't like wearing them because they gave her a splitting headache—especially on her wedding day.
She loved dessert

Princess Diana in a food line in 1983 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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Though Princess Diana typically ate very healthy food, she had a weakness for Royal Chef Darren McGrady's irresistible bread and butter pudding. Can't say we blame her!
She was the worst cook

Princess Diana in 1989 Tim Graham / Contributor/Getty
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According to Royal Chef Darren McGrady, Diana's own cooking skills were less than stellar. “She was just the worst, a terrible person in the kitchen,” McGrady said fondly.
She loved *this* soundtrack

Princess Diana in 1991 and 'Romeo and Juliette' in 1967 Princess Diana Archive / Stringer/Getty ;Bettmann / Contributor/Getty
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Though Princess Diana enjoyed many different genres of music, from The Eagles to Beethoven, it's believed her favorite record was the soundtrack to Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film Romeo and Juliet.
She loved to vacation in the Caribbean

Diana in the Caribbean, 1993 Princess Diana Archive / Stringer/Getty
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Princess Diana's favorite vacationing spots were the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Judging by this photo alone, we can definitely see why she loved it!
She invited a supermodel to the palace

Diana and the Royal Family in 1997, Cindy Crawford in 1998 Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library / Contributor/Getty; Jim Spellman / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana once invited supermodel Cindy Crawford to the Kensington Palace just because Prince William (then age 13) had a huge crush on her. Aww!
She was always in full glam

Princess Diana in 1997 David Levenson / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana had great skin and didn't need to wear much makeup, but she always had a full makeover with foundation and concealer because she was photographed so much. We think she was beautiful no matter what!
Her sister dated Prince Charles

Prince Charles and Diana's older sister Sarah in 1977 Anwar Hussein / Contributor/Getty
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Princess Diana’s oldest sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, dated Prince Charles for nine months in 1977. Their short-lived romance came crashing down after Sarah gave an embarrassing interview about the Prince, claiming that the duo were "just friends."
She once surprised Prince Charles by dancing

Diana Dancing in 1985 Anwar Hussein / Contributor/Getty
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During the early days of her marriage to Prince Charles, Diana wanted to put her dancing skills to use and surprise her new husband. While the duo was on a date at the Royal Opera House in England, she politely excused herself and then appeared on stage to perform a magical duet with dancer Wayne Sleep to Billy Joel's "Uptown Girls."
She had another brother

Young Diana with her little brother, Charles in 1967 Hulton Archive / Stringer/Getty
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Most people know that Princess Diana had two older sisters, Jane and Sarah, and a younger brother, Charles (pictured), but the late princess also had a secret older brother who was born on January 12, 1960. He was named John after his father, but sadly he died 10 hours after his birth due to severe deformities. He is buried on the grounds of Sandringham where Princess Diana often visited him. His death stayed with her for many years, and she once remarked: “I was the girl who was supposed to be a boy.”
She once slapped her father

Diana with her father, John on her wedding day in 1981 Anwar Hussein / Contributor/Getty
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When Princess Diana and her siblings discovered that their father had secretly married Raine the Countess of Dartmouth in 1976, Diana was so furious that she slapped her father. Diana's father, John Spencer,8th Earl Spencer, had divorced Diana's mother, Frances Shane Kydd, in 1969, but Diana and her siblings did not like Raine.