DIANA AT 50 By the Editors of LIFE

NEW YORK, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With her compassion, charisma and complexity, Princess Diana became one of the most beloved, and unexpected, royals in history.  LIFE captured Diana like no one else could and she graced the cover of LIFE magazine more than a dozen times.  Now, on what would have been her 50th birthday, July 1, 2011, LIFE editors pay tribute to her with DIANA AT 50 (Time Home Entertainment, Inc.; Hardcover; Publication date: June 28, 2011; $19.95), a poignant and balanced history of a woman launched into public scrutiny at the tender age of 19, who was at turns surprisingly strong and achingly vulnerable.  This commemorative edition contains close to 150 iconic and archival photographs, and chronicles Diana's aristocratic childhood, her swift courtship with Prince Charles, her joy in being a mother, her charitable work around the world, her painful divorce and the fatal car accident that led to her untimely death.

DIANA AT 50 showcases Diana at her happiest—at her wedding (dubbed "The Wedding of the Century"), as a newlywed and as a doting mother to princes William and Harry.  We also see her after her divorce, traveling the world to comfort the sick and desperate, relishing her role as British diplomat and fearless friend of the less fortunate.  But Diana's life was also followed by a shadow of sadness and self-doubt, which LIFE has so aptly captured here.  Photos from her childhood reveal the trauma caused by her parents' divorce and we see that same unhappiness in her own marriage to Prince Charles as she became beleaguered by his infidelity.  Diana eventually struggled with depression and an eating disorder as her royal life imploded and the Royal Family's disapproval grew.

Millions around the world embraced Diana for her suffering and for being accessible and real — shocking for a member of the Royal Family.  Diana's ability to connect with people, especially those in need, cemented her title "the People's Princess."

LIFE Books has a long, proud history as a devoted chronicler of the British Royal Family and here they have perfectly captured Princess Diana's irresistible glamour and unmistakable empathy, preserving her legacy for a new generation.  From private childhood moments with family to the Wedding of the Century to her emergence as a mother and global caregiver, Princess Diana, whose life ended way too soon, shines on in DIANA AT 50.

About LIFE

The editors at LIFE vigorously carry on the traditions of excellence in photography, in journalism, and in telling the story of our country and our world, which began with the founding of LIFE magazine in 1936 by editor and publisher, Henry R. Luce. They have published books on a broad range of subjects, including New York Times bestsellers ONE NATION, LIFE Picture Puzzle and The American Journey of Barack Obama.

SOURCE LIFE Books