Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in November 2020.
A Humble Beginning
Before Princess Diana became a global style icon, she won hearts as a modest nursery school teacher. In 1980, royal photographer Arthur Edwards captured an image that would unintentionally make headlines.
Princess Diana sitting on a bench looking down, Photo Credit: dianaourprincessofwaless/Instagram
Princess Diana with her two sons who were young boys at the time, Photo Credit: dianaourprincessofwaless/Instagram
Chasing the Story
Edwards had just joined the royal beat. Eager to find Diana, he knocked on doors until he located her preschool. After getting permission from the owner, he led Diana and two children to a nearby park.
“She struck a pose, and I snapped a few shots,” he recalled. Then, the sun emerged. “It was purely chance,” he said. The backlighting turned an ordinary photo into an iconic image.
Diana’s Reaction
The photo quickly appeared in newspapers across the U.K. Diana, embarrassed, reportedly told Charles she didn’t want to be remembered as “the girlfriend without a petticoat.” It marked the start of her difficult relationship with the press.
A closeup of Princess Diana, Photo Credit: dianaourprincessofwaless/Instagram
Princess Diana holding her two young sons, Photo Credit: dianaourprincessofwaless/Instagram
