5 times Princess Diana went against Royal protocol

Even though 24 years have passed since Lady Diana's untimely demise, many are still learning new, surprising details about the princess and her personal life.

As compiled from House Beautiful, here are five ways in which the iconic British royal broke palace protocol. Talk about being rebellious!

1. She chose a ready-made ring

Royal engagement rings are usually custom-made. however, the then 19-year-old Diana decided to get hers ready-made, from the Garrard Jewellery collection.

Made of 14 diamond solitaires, with a 12-carat sapphire set in white gold, the ring can now be seen on Duchess Kate Middleton's hand.

2. She wasn't the traditional 'Royal' mother


The 20-year-old did not follow how Queen Elizabeth II brought Prince Charles up. Diana chose her sons' first names herself and breastfed them as infants.

"Diana and Charles opposed the Royal trend of separation by taking nine-month-old William, as well as his nanny, with them on the six-week tour to Australia and New Zealand," said royal expert Christopher Warwick.

3. Her children went to public school



The Princess of Wales insisted that her kids attend public school. As a result, William became the first heir to the throne to attend one.

"The decision to have William, who was three at the time, develop his finger-painting skills among commoners showed the influence of Diana, who had worked in a nursery school herself when she was just a Lady," George Hackett stated in Newsweek.

The Princess also took the boys to McDonald's, rode the bus and tube, and let them wear whatever they wanted. At Disney, they stood in line just like everyone else.

4. She wasn't shy with her fashion choices



Lady Diana didn't hold back when it came to wearing certain dresses. In 1994, while a documentary about Prince Charles' infidelity was being aired, she wore a black off-shoulder bodycon mini dress - a look that certainly broke Royal dress code. Unsurprsingly, she made many a headlines the very next morning.

For a 1985 appearance in Melbourne, Diana accessorised her gown with a diamond and emerald choker, a wedding gift from the Queen. She didn't wear it around her neck though: the Princess decided to wear it as a headband instead. We're pretty sure that wasn't quite how the Queen imagined the treasure being donned.

5. She was 'too' compassionate


When Diana spoke with children, she always crouched to see them at eye-level. "She was the first member of the royal family to do this," said Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine. "The royal family used to say that everyone had to be deferential to them but Diana believed, 'If you're speaking to a very young child or a sick person, get yourself on their level'."

Like every royal, Diana did a lot of charity work. However, according to Royal standards, she took it too far. She walked across a minefield in Angola to spread awareness. She also shook hands with HIV positive patients and visited Brazilian AIDS orphans when the disease was very misunderstood. "HIV does not make people dangerous to know," the princess said back then. "So you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it."

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