like a ballet dancer

22 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE LATE PRINCESS DIANA

Princess Diana was a trailblazer, activist, and style icon, leaving an undeniable mark as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Despite living much of her life under intense public scrutiny, there’s still so much to discover about the beloved late royal. From her favorite fashion designer and life before joining the royal family to her music preferences and unique approach to parenting, here are 22 things to remember about the People’s Princess.

SHE WAS THE FOURTH OF FIVE CHILDREN

Diana Frances Spencer had two older sisters, Sarah (now Lady Sarah McCorquodale) and Jane (now Lady Jane Fellowes), as well as a younger brother, Charles Spencer, who later became the 9th Earl Spencer. She also had another brother, John, who sadly passed away shortly after birth in 1960—just a year and a half before Diana was born.

HER PARENTS DIVORCED WHEN SHE WAS SEVEN

Diana’s parents, Frances Shand Kydd and Edward John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, had a turbulent marriage that ended in divorce when she was just seven years old. She later revealed that their relationship was marked by infidelity and domestic struggles, making her childhood difficult.

HER GRANDMOTHER WAS A LADY-IN-WAITING TO THE QUEEN MOTHER

Diana’s maternal grandmother, Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy, was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She played a key role in royal circles, acting as a trusted assistant and companion to the Queen Mother and organizing many of her events.

SHE GREW UP ON THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE

Diana was born and raised on the royal family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Her childhood home, Park House, was leased from Queen Elizabeth II and held deep family history—her mother, Frances, was also born there.

SHE DREAMED OF BECOMING A BALLERINA BUT WAS TOO TALL

Diana had a deep love for ballet and aspired to become a professional dancer. However, she eventually had to give up her dream as she grew too tall for the profession. Her ballet teacher, Anne Allan, later reflected on Diana’s passion, saying that dancing brought her a sense of freedom and joy.

SHE BECAME “LADY DIANA” AT 14

In 1975, Diana’s father inherited the title of Earl Spencer, making her officially “Lady Diana Spencer.” The nickname “Lady Di” stuck with her, even after she became the Princess of Wales.

SHE STRUGGLED IN SCHOOL

Diana was homeschooled until the age of nine, after which she attended boarding school. However, academics weren’t her strong suit—she failed her O-Level exams twice and left school at 16. She later spent a semester at a Swiss finishing school before returning to England.

SHE WORKED AS A NANNY AND TEACHER

Before becoming a princess, Diana worked a variety of jobs, including as a nanny and a part-time kindergarten teacher in London. She reportedly earned just $5 an hour while caring for children, cleaning, and doing laundry.

SHE WAS THE FIRST ROYAL BRIDE TO HAVE A PAYING JOB

When Diana married Prince Charles in 1981, she became the first woman in history to marry an heir to the British throne after having held a paying job. The Duchess of Cambridge later became the first royal bride to have earned a university degree.

PRINCE CHARLES FIRST DATED HER OLDER SISTER

Before Diana and Charles became romantically involved, he briefly dated her older sister, Sarah. In fact, Sarah took credit for introducing them, once joking, “I’m Cupid!”

SHE AND HER SISTER REMAINED CLOSE

Despite her sister’s past relationship with Prince Charles, Diana and Sarah remained very close throughout Diana’s life. Diana once described Sarah as “the only person I know I can trust.”

SHE WAS DISTANTLY RELATED TO PRINCE CHARLES

Diana and Charles were actually 16th cousins once removed, both descendants of King Henry VII. Interestingly, Prince William and Kate Middleton are also distant cousins, sharing an ancestor in Sir Thomas Leighton.

SHE MET PRINCE CHARLES ONLY 13 TIMES BEFORE THEIR ENGAGEMENT

Before their engagement in 1981, Diana and Charles had met only about a dozen times. At the time, Diana was 19, while Charles was 32. Reports suggest that Prince Philip pressured Charles to “do the right thing” and propose.

HER WEDDING DRESS BROKE RECORDS

Diana’s iconic wedding gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured more than 10,000 pearls and a record-breaking 25-foot train—the longest ever worn by a royal bride.

SHE WAS THE FIRST ROYAL TO GIVE BIRTH IN A HOSPITAL

Breaking centuries-old royal tradition, Diana chose to give birth to both Prince William and Prince Harry at St. Mary’s Hospital in London rather than at home.

SHE WAS AN UNCONVENTIONAL ROYAL MOM

Diana was determined to give her sons as normal a childhood as possible. She took them to public schools, rode public transportation with them, and even treated them to fast food and amusement parks.

SHE MADE SURE HER SONS HAD REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Diana’s former chief of staff, Patrick Jephson, recalled how she ensured her children experienced everyday moments, like standing in line for a McDonald’s meal or going to the movies with friends.

CATHERINE WALKER WAS HER FAVORITE DESIGNER

Diana had a close relationship with fashion designer Catherine Walker, who was responsible for many of her most iconic outfits. Their bond was so strong that Diana once described Walker as her “rock.”

SHE CREDITED CATHERINE WALKER FOR BOOSTING HER CONFIDENCE

In a note to Walker about a white halter dress she wore in 1996, Diana wrote, “I was so proud and felt very confident to stride out there and deliver my first speech since the divorce.”

SHE ALWAYS WROTE “THANK YOU” NOTES

Diana was known for her kindness and gratitude, frequently writing handwritten thank-you notes. When Prince William was born, she reportedly sent thousands of thank-you letters to people who had sent gifts. Today, her letters are highly valuable, selling for thousands of dollars at auctions.

SHE WAS A TRAILBLAZER IN HIV AWARENESS

In April 1987, Diana made history when she shook hands with an HIV-positive patient without wearing gloves. The powerful moment helped challenge public misconceptions and reduce stigma around the illness. That same day, she opened the UK’s first HIV/AIDS ward at London’s Middlesex Hospital.

SHE HAD MANY FAMOUS FRIENDS

Diana built friendships with several A-list celebrities, including Elton John, George Michael, Liza Minnelli, and Tilda Swinton. She even stayed at Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s Colorado ranch with William and Harry for ten days to escape the paparazzi.

CONCLUSION

These 22 lesser-known facts illuminate a woman who was far more than a royal figurehead. From her mischievous childhood and hidden talents to her passionate activism and quiet acts of rebellion, Diana defied expectations and carved her own path. She was a woman of contradictions: vulnerable yet strong, reserved yet outspoken, traditional yet fiercely modern. Ultimately, these insights offer a more nuanced understanding of the late Princess of Wales, revealing the human being behind the icon and solidifying her lasting legacy as a figure of compassion, courage, and enduring inspiration.

All You Have to Know about Best Flats for Women

As chic as a shoe might look, there’s no point in wearing it if it’s uncomfortable. Why compromise our comfort when we can look fashionable and feel comfy in our shoes at the same time. That’s why flat shoes were invented. These items are definitely one of the most versatile footwear ever, you can put them on anytime you want, from a cocktail party to the cobblestone streets of a city while traveling and living life on the go. If you haven’t found any shoes that are suitable for you or just want to get a pair of flat shoes, we have your back. This is our guide that is gonna help you choose the best flat shoes for women.

Why Do You Need to Buy Flat Shoes

You might be thinking, why do you need more shoes when you can just put on your sports shoes or high heels and you’re good to go. You might want to make up your mind after this. You see, no one ever wears sports shoes with dresses or formal clothes, and high heels, they’re such a pain to walk in all day long, so yes, a pair of flat shoes is a must in your closet. Unlike high heels or other types of shoes with elevated heels, flat shoes have a level sole that offers a wide range of benefits.

Firstly, flat shoes provide comfort and support to the feet. They distribute weight evenly across the foot, reducing pressure on certain areas, such as the ball of the foot or the heel. This can help prevent foot pain, inflammation, and even injuries.

Secondly, flat shoes are more flexible and practical, compared to other types of footwear on the market. You can wear them for literally every occasion, from casual outings to formal events, flat shoes can pull off all kinds of clothes that you put on. So don’t worry too much about matching clothes when you have a pair of flat shoes.

Thirdly, These shoes are stylish and fashionable as there are many different styles, colors, and designs available. You can find any design and style of flat shoes that you love, from classic ballet shoes to comfortable, modern loafers. This variety ensures that women can find the perfect pair of flat shoes that are their cup of tea.

Finally, flat shoes can also help improve posture and balance, helping you improve your overall health and flexibility, which high heels fail to provide.

Choosing The Right Pair of Flat Shoes

Comfort:

Comfort is the most important factor to consider when it comes to choosing flat shoes. Go for ones that offer good arch support, cushioning, and a well-padded footbed to help reduce pressure on the feet. The shoes should also fit well and not be too tight or too loose, as this can cause discomfort and blisters and you do not want this to happen at all. We recommend you try before you buy shoes so you can feel them more.

Style:

As we mentioned above, there are hundreds of types and designs out there, you will definitely find the one if you have enough time, which you obviously don’t have. So choose carefully a pair of shoes that matches your personal preferences and complements your wardrobe. You should also think of what occasion you are gonna wear those flat shoes for better practicality. 

Material:

Like other types of footwear, the material of the shoe should be thought about before making any purchase as it affects the products’ comfort and durability. Shoes made from high-quality materials that can withstand regular use are more worth-buying than those with cheap, low-quality materials. Most flat shoes are made of leather, suede, canvas, and synthetic materials so don’t fall for any other cheap, crusty items with trashy stuff.

Those fundamental tips that we have listed are one of the basic principles that you need to follow to get a good pair. Shopping online for shoes is fine to us because we understand that most consumers don’t have time to go to the stores, but if you have a free Sunday with nothing to do, a quick trip to the shoe shops is perfect.

Top 8 Best Flat Shoes for Women

If you’ve come this far, why don’t you stay with us for a little bit more, who knows if you’re gonna be interested in these fabulous, classic flat shoes.

Rothy’s Pointed Toe Flats: Rothy’s offers users a comfortable, pleasant feeling when put on those shoes. They literally feel like house slippers while looking like dressy, going-out shoes. If you always prioritize comfort, you should check out these amazing items. 

Many customers claim that these shoes are probably one of the most pleasant shoes to put in, as they’re loose and feel like slippers. However, because of their loose design, Rothy’s pointed toe flats could slip off your feet anytime that you don’t even realize that your feet are bare.

Dr. Martens Mary Janes: Dr. Martens shoes have always been a staple in everyone’s closet as they can be worn with anything for any event that you think of. For those who like their Dr. Martens to be a little bit more feminine, Mary Janes shoes by Dr. Martens will definitely satisfy you.

Most of the reviews are quite positive as they’re made of high-quality materials that can stay in their forms forever. But unlike other flat shoes that you can find on the market, these Mary Janes are quite painful to walk in if you don’t wear any sock in the first place.

Ballet flats: Ballet flats are a type of flat shoe that draws inspiration from the footwear traditionally worn by ballet dancers. They are characterized by their simple, slip-on design and typically have a thin sole and a rounded or slightly pointed toe. This type of flat shoes are widely loved by women for their simple yet feminine looks.

Ballets are very versatile as you pair them with anything you like, thanks to their simple design. But when you want to order them online, you should order 0.5 to 1 size bigger than your usual size because ballet shoes are usually tighter than sneakers or sports shoes.

Oxford shoes:Here is a unisex option that both men and women can wear. For those who don’t know, Oxford shoes are shoes that have a closed lacing system, which means their eyelet tabs are stitched underneath the vamp of the shoe so that they aren’t visible.They often feature low-heels, making Oxford shoes so suitable for formal meetings.

If you’re looking for shoes that look expensive but don’t cost much, Oxford shoes are definitely the ones you need. Oxford shoes are literally perfect shoes to wear with dress pants. However, like Dr. Martens, they might cause you some discomforts when you wear them, which is totally avoidable if you wear thick socks before putting them on.

Loafers: Loafers are the kind of shoes that usually have low heels to no heels with a closed-toe design and a moccasin-like construction, with a stitched upper and a comfortable fit. They’re quite flexible when it comes to matching clothes, because you can wear them with anything you want. Like a T-shirt with loafer shoes to wear with linen pants on a late summer day.

According to most consumers, these shoes are super comfortable to wear and some of them even said that it felt like a cushion when they put their feet in loafers. But if you’re planning to walk around a lot with these shoes, you might want to change as they’re quite heavy, compared to other sneakers.

Mary Jane Flats: Apart from Dr. Martens, Mary Jane flats became a go-to style for women, especially those who are into hyper-feminine dresses or vintage clothes. These shoes are flatform shoes from the 90s, that have a strap across the instep and provide a comfortable yet polished look.

Customers love these items for their classic, versatile design as well as their flattering looks. But like Dr. Martens, wearing them is quite traumatizing without thick socks, and they can even give you blisters if you are walking in Mary Janes shoes for too long.

Espadrilles: If you’re planning on buying new footwear for the summer, these Espadrilles are for you. They definitely have elegant looks like high heels but unlike high heels, they’re extremely comfortable to wear, perfect for walking under the bright sun of a summer day.

Espadrilles are well-liked and chosen by many women who need to buy summer shoes. Their designs are totally suitable for the summer since their main colors are usually brown and warm beige. However, they’re quite small in width so people with big feet are not comfortable when they wear them. And they’re quite heavy so bringing them to the beach is not a good idea.

Jelly Shoes: We promise that fans of colorful shoes will love these. Jelly shoes are made from PVC plastic and come in various styles and colors, from sandals to flats, making them perfect footwear inside the house.

Obviously, jelly shoes are really pleasant to wear, but many people find these items not very fashionable and even weird so jelly shoes are not for everyone.

After all, having one or two pairs of flat shoes is not a waste of money at all as they can be dressed up or down for every event. If you are interested in our article, check out our recommendations so you can make the best decision for yourself.