Diana, 10th Anniversary: Bitter divorce marked her childhood

THE bitter divorce of Diana’s parents — they separated when she was aged just six — is said to have been one of the most traumatic events of the future princess’s life.

Diana was the third daughter of Edward John Viscount Althorp, the only son of the 7th Earl Spencer, and Frances Ruth Burke Roche, the youngest daughter of the 4th Baron Fermoy, who married in 1954.

The Westminster Abbey ceremony was the social event of 1954, with the Queen the chief guest.