▲Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961. She was the third of four children.

▲Diana's parents divorced when she was six years old. Her father, John Spencer, was given full custody of the children.

▲At the age of 13, Diana is given the title of Lady after her grandfather dies and her father inherits the title Earl of Spencer and the Althorp estate.

▲Lady Diana was educated at the prestigious West Heath Girls' School in Kent. She was never academic but excelled in PE and music.

▲In 1977, Lady Diana met Prince Charles. He was dating her older sister, Lady Sarah.

▲A couple of years later, Prince Charles noticed Lady Diana during a summer weekend in the countryside. He later invited her on a sailing trip aboard the Royal Yacht.

▲According to 'Diana: Her True Story,' her protective officer warned her, saying, "I just want you to know that this is your last night of freedom ever, in the rest of your life, so make the most of it," before helping her move out of her London apartment.

▲Lady Diana, 20, wed Prince Charles, 32, at St Paul's Cathedral in front of 2,500 guests.

▲The wedding was broadcast in 74 countries and watched by 750 million worldwide.

▲Lady Diana immediately committed to her royal duties as the future Queen of England.

▲The couple's first son, Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, was born on June 21, 1982.

▲The couple's second son, Prince Henry Charles Albert David, commonly known as Harry, was born on September 15, 1984.

▲After the birth of their second child, rumors of difficulties in the royal marriage surfaced.

▲The couple continued their public duties but led separate lives.

▲Prime Minister John Major announced Charles and Diana's separation in 1992. In 1995, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Elizabeth had written to the couple advising them to divorce.

▲Prince Charles and Lady Diana agreed on the divorce terms. Lady Diana was awarded a reported £17 million (US$26 million) settlement, as well as about £400,000 (US$625,000) per year, but was stripped of the title “Royal Highness” and instead referred to as Diana, Princess of Wales.

▲She went on to highlight the plight of those marginalized by society. Her work with HIV/AIDS and leprosy challenged misconceptions surrounding the diseases.

▲Lady Diana routinely visited hospitals at home and abroad and spent time talking with patients.

▲Lady Diana displayed great empathy for those in need. She was dubbed "The People's Princess" and "Queen of People's Hearts."

▲In 1997, Lady Diana became romantically involved with Dodi Fayed.

▲In the early hours of August 31, 1997, their driver crashed into a cement pylon, killing himself and Dodi Fayed instantly. Diana and her bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, are rushed to hospital.

▲Lady Diana is pronounced dead at 4 am at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, aged 36.

▲Millions around the world watched Lady Diana's funeral procession. Tabloid newspapers with sensational headlines about the Diana and Dodi affair were pulled from newsstands.

▲Diana's family established a charitable fund in her name and raised over £100 million (US$161 million) in donations.

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Princess Diana’s memory still lives on through memorials, books, charitable organizations, and her two sons.

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Prince Charles and Lady Diana announced their engagement a year later, showcasing the famous sapphire engagement ring.

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Soon after her divorce, Lady Diana visited Angola, where she was seen walking through a minefield wearing a visor and bomb-proof breastplate.

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Lady Diana continued with her philanthropic work. She became a patron of over 100 charities and led a worldwide campaign to eliminate landmines.

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Twenty-seven years after her tragic death, the far-reaching influence of Diana, Princess of Wales remains. Her sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, have carried on her legacy, but her absence is still deeply felt around the world. Known for her compassionate heart and dedication to humanitarian causes, Diana made a profound difference in the lives of many.

In tribute to Lady Di, explore her work, her dedication, and her life as the People's Princess in the following gallery.