She celebrated her special day in a way that would define her legacy.

Princess Diana spent her last birthday before the car crash that ultimately took her life, in a way that would come to define her legacy. She also used the milestone moment to ring in her 36th year in an unexpected manner.

Princess Diana rang in her 36th birthday in a slinky black gown, greeting well-wishers

On the eve of Princess Diana’s 36th birthday, which took place on July 1, 1997, she spent the night greeting well-wishers who gathered outside of an event. But instead of spending all her time at a gala held in honor of the Tate Gallery’s Centenary in London, she made time to mingle with those who loved her best, her fans.

People Magazine reported that Diana donned a beaded black Jacques Azagury gown she had received as a birthday gift. She paired the unexpected, stunning ensemble with a diamond, emerald choker and matching earrings.

Although Diana was regarded as a VIP at the event, her star power truly shone among her followers. As she spoke to some of those gathered outside, she was inundated with flowers and gifts to celebrate her birthday.

Diana paired stunning emerald jewelry with her black beaded gown

Princess Diana holds a pink heart balloon as she meets with fans | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

According to the website The Court Jeweller, Princess Diana chose a coordinated necklace and earring set that had been in her possession for almost a decade. She acquired one of the pieces while she was still married to then-Prince Charles.

Diana’s drop earrings were a birthday present from Charles in 1983. The choker had a significant royal connection.

“The emerald and diamond choker necklace, with an Art Deco design, belonged to Queen Mary. It was one of the jewels presented to her during the Delhi Durbar in 1911, and she later had it remade into its current choker style,” the site reports.

Royal watchers will likely be familiar with the necklace from Diana’s 1985 royal tour of Australia with Prince Charles. Diana famously used the necklace as a headband.

Along with those key jewelry pieces, Diana donned several glittering bracelets. She wore a diamond and emerald bracelet, a wedding gift from Charles, and a tennis bracelet.

Just 58 days later, Princess Diana was dead

On August 28, 1997, Princess Diana was in France with her then-boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed. At that time, she was divorced from Prince Charles.

Diana and Al Fayed stayed at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. The couple went up to the Imperial Suite. Diana then called her sons Prince William and Harry, who were on summer vacation at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with their father, then-Prince Charles.

After spending the day in the city of lights, Diana and Dodi left the Ritz after dinner and planned to head back to his apartment. Shortly after midnight, the couple, along with driver Henri Paul and bodyguard Trevor Rees Jones, entered a black Mercedes for the ride to Fayed’s Paris apartment.

However, after trying to evade photographers who chased the car, Paul sped up and entered the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. The automobile crashed into the tunnel’s 13th pillar of the tunnel. Pal and Al Fayed were killed instantly, and Rees-Jones and Diana were seriously injured.

Diana was rushed to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery to try and save her life by 4 a.m. Diana was pronounced dead.

Princess Diana died on August 28, 1997.