July 1, 1961 - Born into aristocratic family, third of four children of Lord and Lady Althorp. Early years: Diana brought up at her father`s house on the royal estate at Sandringham in eastern England and the family home of Althorp, in the English Midlands. 1969 - Marriage of Diana`s parents dissolved. Her father won battle for custody of children. School days: Educated at West Heath, a boarding school in southern England, and a finishing school in Switzerland. Helped to run a nursery in London on leaving school.
1977 - Met Prince Charles at Althorp. Charles, courting her elder sister Sarah, had been invited to the house to join a shooting party. 1980 - Romance between Charles and Diana blossomed. February 24, 1981 - Engagement to Charles announced. July 29, 1981 - Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, married Lady Diana Spencer in sumptuous ceremony at St Paul`s Cathedral in London.
June 21, 1982 - First child born, William Arthur Philip Louis, known as Wills. Diana suffered post-natal depression.
September 15, 1984 - Second child born, Henry Charles Albert David, known as Harry. 1985 - First reports of difficulties in royal marriage.
1986 - Charles renewed his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, a woman he later referred to as "the love of his life". Diana developed slimming disorder bulimia nervosa. Royal couple continued public duties, but in private they were soon leading separate lives.
June 1992 - "Diana - Her True Story" by tabloid reporter Andrew Morton published. Diana cooperated, through friends, in the writing of the book which showed her trapped in a loveless marriage and attempting suicide to attract Charles`s attention.
August 25, 1992 - Newspapers published excerpts of taped telephone conversation between Diana and James Gilby, who called her "Squidgy" and told her repeatedly that he loved her.
November 1992 - Disastrous tour of South Korea by the couple, who looked miserable and distant throughout. December 9, 1992 - Prime Minister John Major announced formal separation of the couple in parliament.
September 1994 - "Princess In Love" by Anna Pasternak published, telling of an affair between Diana and handsome cavalry officer James Hewitt. Book condemned, but Diana later confirmed she had an affair with Hewitt and said she adored him. November 20, 1995 - Princess of Wales gave television interview in which she admitted adultery with Hewitt and said she doubted Charles` ability to handle the responsibility of being king. December 20, 1995 - Buckingham Palace confirmed Queen Elizabeth had written to Charles and Diana urging them to divorce. December 30, 1995 - Prime Minister Major assured Diana of a major role in public life despite the prospect of divorce.
1996: February 28 - Diana agreed to the request for a divorce, calling it the saddest day of her life. July 4 - Charles`s lawyers ended 10 weeks of deadlock and offered Diana divorce terms.
July 12 - Charles and Diana agreed divorce terms. Diana was to get a reported 17 million pound ($26 million) settlement, but was stripped of the title "Her Royal Highness". July 13 - Strain of divorce showed as Diana burst into tears in public.
July 15 - London court granted Charles and Diana a decree nisi, the first stage in a quick divorce obtained on the grounds that they had been separated for more than two years. July 16 - Diana quit nearly 100 charities, blaming the loss of her title and saying she wanted to give the charities an opportunity to seek a new royal patron. August 28 - Charles and Diana granted a decree absolute ending their 15-year marriage.
1997: January 13 - Diana arrived in Angola as part of her crusade to rid the world of anti-personnel landmines.
April 1 - Diana involved in scuffle with photographer outside gymnasium as she asks a passer-by to snatch film from photographer`s camera.
June 25 - Diana`s gowns sold for more than $3.2 million at charity auction.
July 18 - Prince Charles hosted glittering 50th birthday party for mistress Camilla Parker Bowles.
August 7 - First media reports that Diana had found a new love - Dodi Al Fayed.
August 8 - Diana arrived in Bosnia to campaign against landmines. August 9 - Publication of first photographs showing Diana embracing Al Fayed.
August 22 - Began third and final holiday with Al Fayed in the Mediterranean.
August 31 - Diana killed in car crash with Al Fayed hours before returning home to Britain.
