25 Years Later: Princess Diana
This week marks 25 years since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Many millenials will remember the news coverage in 1997, of her fatal car crash. The Princess was severely injured upon impact and was taken to the hospital for surgery, only to later succumb to her injuries and die from internal bleeding. The driver of the car, her rumored boyfriend, Egyptian billionaire Emad “Dodi” Fayed, died at the scene of the accident. Upon investigation, it was found that Dodi was intoxicated and was speeding in an attempt to flee from the paparazzi.
Over 2.5 billion viewers around the world watched her funeral and mourned the tragic loss. At the time, 36 year old Princess Diana, left behind two young children, 12 year old Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and 15 year old Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
At age 20, Diana (an English school teacher) married Charles, Prince of Wales. He was 32 years old, the eldest of four children, and heir to the British throne. On July 29, 1981, 1 million people tuned in to watch their wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral with 2,650 guests in attendance. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II and father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh among the royal wedding party.
The couple welcomed their first son, William in 1982 and second son, Harry in 1984. The royal family was seemingly different in demeanor in comparison to the kind-hearted, energetically free spirited Diana. Once her marriage to Prince Charles hit romantic trouble it quickly grabbed the attention of the press.
Under constant tabloid coverage, the couple separated in 1992, but continued to serve in their royal responsibilities. Queen Elizabeth nudged them towards divorce, they reached an divorce agreement in 1996. Princess Diana received financial settlement, the rights to her Kensington Palace apartment, and her “Princess of Wales” title, but had to relinquish her title of “Her Royal HIghness” and any future claims to the British throne.
Regardless of her British troubles, America adorned the Princess as did her children.
Her youngest, Prince Harry recently opened up about his mother’s memory and how he will never forget her. At a speech for a fundraising event in Aspen, Colorado. “My dear friend Prince Seeiso and I founded Sentebale 16 years ago in honor of our mothers, with a mission to support many of the most vulnerable young people on the planet- and to give them care and help them thrive.” Harry continued to express that the African language Sesotho, is where the charity name, Sentabale, originates from, which means “forget-me-not.”
He plans to spend the day of his mother’s death anniversary with his w
ife, Meghan Markle, his son Archie, 3, and his daughter Lilibet, 1. As he attempts to carry on her mother’s legacy, he shared, “Every day, I hope to do her proud. She was tireless in her work to support and destigmatize those experiencing HIV/AIDS. Fittingly, her favorite flowers were ‘forget-me-nots.’ I hope we can remember my mother’s legacy by recommitting to those we serve, whoever and wherever that may be.”
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/11/06/princess-diana-queen-elizabeth-relationship/
https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a29874597/princess-diana-death/
