The royal family at Windsor Castle, on the day of Prince William’s confirmation in 1997. Photo: AP
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Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana’s rollercoaster relationship: 10 intimate photos show the close bond between Princes William and Harry’s mum and grandma, even as King Charles’ marriage crumbled
- The late British monarch and People’s Princess shared a polite and formal relationship, according to the latter’s biographer, but have also been pictured sharing cordial kisses on the cheek
- The two influential women remained close through the years, with the queen calling Diana ‘an exceptional and gifted human being’ in a speech at Buckingham Palace after the princess’ tragic death
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana appeared to share a polite and formal relationship through the years, often seen attending official royal engagements together. Photo: AP
They were two of the most influential women in Britain – and across the globe – while they were alive, and their legacies remain strong after their deaths. It’s no wonder that royal watchers and the general public are curious about what their relationship was truly like.
Here’s a glimpse into Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana’s relationship, in pictures …
Queen Elizabeth became mother-in-law to Princess Diana when the latter married Charles. The two appeared to share a polite and formal relationship through the years, according to Diana’s biographer Andrew Morton.
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles pose with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, in 1981 – the day that their wedding was sanctioned by the Privy Council. Photo: Bettmann Archive
But Princess Diana knew Queen Elizabeth long before she got engaged to then Prince Charles as she had grown up in royal circles and her father was an equerry to the queen, according to The Independent.
Lady Diana Spencer kissing her mother-in-law to be, Queen Elizabeth, in greeting before going to watch fiancé Prince Charles play polo, in 1981. Photo: Getty Images
This is evident in an image of Diana and the queen before the wedding, where they shared a kiss on the cheek.
Princess Diana’s first curtsy to Queen Elizabeth as the Princess of Wales during her wedding ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral. Photo: Getty Images
Diana curtsied to the monarch publicly for the first time at her royal wedding at Westminster Abbey on July 29, 1981.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, in 1981, surrounded by their bridesmaids and pageboys as well as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward and the Queen Mother. Photo: Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth looked on as Charles and Diana shared their first kiss on the palace balcony, marking the first time a royal couple did so.
Diana, the Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth attend the Opening of Parliament in London, November 1982. Photo: Getty Images
Through the years, Diana accompanied the monarch to official engagements.
In this photo, taken in November 1982, they travelled together to the State Opening of Parliament.
Members of the royal family at Clarence House in London for the Queen Mother’s 87th birthday in 1987. Photo: Getty Images
Here they are with other members of the royal family as they celebrated the Queen Mother’s 87th birthday in 1987.
Diana and Queen Elizabeth were cordial, even when the princess’ marriage broke down. Photo: Getty Images
Here they are pictured at Trooping the Colour in 1992, the same year of the Wales’ separation.
Queen Elizabeth walks past Princess Diana at the unveiling of the Canada Memorial Foundation Monument in London, in 1994. Photo: Getty Images
They also appeared in public together long after Diana and Charles’ public split.
In this photo, they wore matching lilac outfits as they attended a royal engagement in 1994.
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret outside of Buckingham Palace during the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. Photo: AFP
Diana died in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997. The monarch paid tribute to the princess with a speech, saying she “was an exceptional and gifted human being”.
“In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness,” the queen said in a televised speech at Buckingham Palace on September 5, 1997.
“I admired and respected her – for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys. This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered,” she added.
This article originally appeared on Insider.