Twenty-seven years have since Princess Diana left this world in a tragic and mysterious car accident, but the love people across the world have her has only grown. Millions marked her death anniversary on Saturday, not just because she was a princess but a “people’s princess”, who had a very unique personality.
In London, the statue of Diana at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden was the main memorial site. This was the place where she lived and adored, and the statue was unveiled in 2021 by her sons Princes William and Harry. Just like the past three years, Diana’s admirers thronged the place to pay special tributes. Thousands of fans laid flowers on the palace gate and adorned the area with her photos.
King Charles marked the day by embarking on a trip to Scotland on Saturday, where he inaugurated the Summer Flower Show of the Royal Horticultural Society Aberdeen. Moreover, Prince William and Kate Middleton apparently weren’t interested in what was happening at the Kensington Palace, and their tribute was more personal instead. The royal couple also ensured that their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, knew what their “Granny Diana” was like.
According to reports, the family of five paid tributes to Diana through homemade cards, which they do on special occasions like the late iconic princess’s birthday and death anniversary, as well as Mother’s Day. They also visited Diana’s grave at Althorp. Diana was known for her affection towards her children, and it is no surprise that Kate’s parenting style mirrors her mother-in-law’s values. In fact, Kate reportedly ensures that her children grow up with the same sense of compassion and empathy that Diana had.
As for the two princes, Harry and William would be in New York City later this month. Harry will be honoring his late mother by leading an event with The Diana Award during the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. William would also be in town for the Earthshot Prize event. Meanwhile, Diana’s brother Charles Spencer paid a warm tribute to her by sharing a collage of childhood photos and newspaper clippings on Instagram. In one of the photos, the late princess can be seen as a toddler, pushing a toy stroller. Many took the post as a personal gesture, but it spoke volumes of the family bonds, something that Diana always tried to develop and strengthen.
Diana’s genuine compassion, dedication to humanitarian causes, and ability to connect with people were some of the traits very rare for someone of her status. She treated everyone kindly regardless of their ethnicity and social background; hence earning the title of the “people’s princess”.She was one of the first public figures to have openly support HIV/AIDS patients. Her simple act of shaking hands with patients without gloves sent a powerful message of solidarity and humanity. She challenged the stigma surrounding the disease, breaking taboos and changing people’s perspective about HIV patients.
Diana also worked tirelessly against landmines, and even visited Angola, where she walked through the minefields just months before her death. That walk soon went viral and brought global attention to the cause, and subsequently her advocacy played a major role in the campaign to ban landmines across the world. Diana’s life wasn’t without its challenges. She had to face pressures and criticisms from all sides, but she never lost her sense of independence and courage. She was very open about her struggles with bulimia and challenging royal life. At the same time, her candid behavior also sparked controversies. Andrew Morton, a journalist who authored Diana’s biography, painted her as a woman trapped in a gilded cage, struggling to maintain her identity and autonomy.
But despite the controversies, Diana’s legacy continues, especially when it comes to her approach to motherhood. Traditionally, royal parents are expected to maintain a formal distance from their children. The protocol was put in place centuries ago to uphold the dignity and mystique of the monarchy. However, Diana broke with that tradition by embracing a more normal and loving approach to parenting. She was often seen hugging her sons and engaging with the public in a way that was inspiring. It is because of her influence that both William and Harry have chosen to raise their own children the way they themselves were raised by Diana. As we reflect on Diana’s life and legacy on her death anniversary, it is clear that she was more than just a royal figure – she was a beacon of hope and humanity who bridged the gap between royalty and the public, a feat no other member of the royal family could achieve by that time.
