Princess Diana Essays (3002 words) - Diana, Princess Of Wales

Princess Diana Princess Diana was born The Honorable Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961. She was the third female child to Viscount and Viscountess Althorp. Diana had two older sisters, Sarah and Jane and one younger brother, Charles. Her family was well off and Diana had a privileged childhood. The Spencer's made their money as successful sheep traders in the 15th century. With their fortune they built Althorp House in Northamptonshire and acquired a family crest and motto ? ?God defend the right? (Morton 10). The Spencer's occupied various offices of State and Court. When Diana's was born her father was disappointed she was a girl. He was hoping for his third children to finally be a male heir to carry on the Spencer name. Diana's father and the rest of the family wanted to know why her mother was only producing girls. Because of this, her mother was sent to a clinic for tests (Morton 10). She was only 23 at the time. This is ironic because today we now know the sex of the baby is determined by the father. Even though she was too young to understand, Diana believed she was to blame for her father's disappointment. Finally, a few years later her mother delivered a boy to carry on the Spencer name. Although Diana had a beautiful christening at Sandringham Church with well-to-do Godparents, her brother Charles's christening was a major event at Westminster Abbey. The Queen was the principal Godparent. The Spencer children were privileged but not snobbish. They were taught to accept people for what they are and not their position in life. The children never understood their titles until they went to school. Occasionally one of the royals would make a visit to the Spencer home and once in a while they would play with Princess Margaret's sons, Princes Andrew and Edward. Diana remembers not liking to go to the Royal home, because it was big and spooky. Diana's mother's family, the Fermoy's, were responsible for acquisition of Park House, Diana's childhood home. King George V granted Diana's grandfather Park House which was originally built for overflow guests from the Royal Sandringham House. It was a spacious property with an outdoor pool and a tennis court. (Morton 11). Diana loved to swim and play tennis at a child. The Spencer's were linked by blood to King Charles II. They are also said to be linked by blood to seven American Presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt, and also Humphrey Bogart and gangster Al Capone (Morton 11). Diana's parents divorced when she was six. It was shock to society. Diana believes the tension put on her mother to produce a boy is when the marriage began to break down. The separation caused a custody battle over the children. This was very disruptive to the four children. After the legal battle their father eventually received custody due to his title and nobility. Diana's mother remarried one month after the divorce was settled to Peter Shand Kydd. The trauma of divorce may have been the cause of what led to Diana's eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Diana's oldest sister, Sarah, also suffered the same eating disorders. These diseases are linked to mother and daughter relationships, anxiety and a malfunctioning family. Diana's parents would fight endlessly and the children would overhear their fights. The four children were cared for primarily by nannies. They went through many nannies in their childhood. This led to a cool relationship with both parents and affec tion from them was non-existent. The children even ate their meals with their nannies. Holiday's were spent shuffled between the two parents. Diana's father buried himself in his work while her mother was only allowed to see them on the weekends. In all, the Spencer children had a very unstable and loveless childhood. Diana says all she craved were cuddles and kisses. Diana learned from an early age to put a smile on her face when family life at home was troublesome. From early on, Diana had a maternal instinct. She cared for her brother, dressing him every day. After her parents divorced, Diana remembers her and her brother lying awake at night in the dark afraid and wanting their mother. Like her sisters,