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Princess Diana Essay

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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. …show more content…

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 affection 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.

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