Former White House photographer Pete Souza discovers forgotten photo of a carefree Princess Diana in 1980s

A moment frozen in time.

Former White House photographer Pete Souza was cleaning out his Ohio home over the weekend when he made an unexpected but meaningful discovery: A 1985 photo of an effervescent Princess Diana dancing with none other than John Travolta, as President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy smile nearby.

Princess Di's appearance at the White House gala dinner was one of her first introductions to the United States, and the country instantly fell in love -- especially with her off-the-shoulder velvet dress, quickly dubbed the "Travolta" gown following her ballroom dance with the actor.

As the Princess of Wales twirled with, at the time, one of Hollywood's biggest hunks, the then-President and his wife gave them their space on the dance floor, waltzing a few feet away. Nancy is seen grinning widely at the princess as her husband laughs.

"Came across an old passport and this photograph I made in the late 1980s," Souza wrote alongside the snapshot -- a certainly iconic photo among many historic events he's captured over the years. Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer for both Reagan and Barack Obama.

More than 30 years after the photo was taken, so much has changed: Princess Diana died in 1997, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan have both passed as well. (John Travolta is thankfully alive and well, although his public persona has undergone some unanticipated changes over the years.)

RELATED: See photos of Princess Diana with her sons

Souza's work during the Obama administration was lauded for his ability to show the president's "little moments," especially those between Obama and children. His image of a young African-American boy touching the president's hair is widely regarded as a monumental photo for black American progress.

Souza's upcoming book, "Obama: An Intimate Portrait" is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.