Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has delighted royal fans by sharing a rare childhood photograph offering another glimpse into the early years of the late Princess of Wales.
The black-and-white image, believed to have been taken more than 60 years ago, shows the siblings enjoying time together outdoors near a swing set. Charles is seated on top of the structure looking down, while a young Diana can be seen swinging from a nearby bar, capturing a simple moment from their childhood.
In the caption accompanying the post, Charles noted that the photograph dates back more than six decades, making it one of the lesser-seen family images of Princess Diana before she became one of the world's most recognised members of the Royal Family.
Born Diana Frances Spencer, the future Princess of Wales became internationally admired not only for her royal role but also for her humanitarian work. Throughout her life, she helped raise awareness of issues including HIV/AIDS, homelessness and the campaign against landmines, earning the enduring nickname, the "People's Princess."
Diana was born at Park House on Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. She was the youngest daughter of Edward John Spencer and Frances Ruth Burke Roche.
Following her parents' divorce, Diana spent much of her childhood dividing her time between different homes as custody arrangements changed. She was educated at boarding school in Kent before attending a finishing school in Switzerland. After returning to London, she worked as a kindergarten assistant at the Young England School in Pimlico before her engagement to the then-Prince Charles transformed her life forever.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997 at the age of 36, leaving behind her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. More than two decades later, rare family photographs shared by Charles Spencer continue to offer a personal look at the woman remembered by millions around the world.
