The people’s princess, Diana

On Wednesday, it is 25 years since Princess Diana passed away, shocking not only the British royal family but the entire globe. Diana, a gorgeous star at the age of 36, was well-known for her beauty, charity, grace and sad royal life.

She was also one of the most well-known women in the English-speaking world. Millions of people had witnessed her transformation from the reserved 20-year-old wife of the elder Prince Charles into the influential woman whose legacy led to significant changes in the traditional royal family.

What happened on August 31?

On August 31, 1997, the “People’s Princess” perished in an automobile accident in Paris. The tragedy sparked debate over how the tabloid media covered her and conspiracy theories about how she died.

Dodi Fayed, an Egyptian-born man who was dating Diana at the time, and the driver, Henri Paul, perished in the collision, which happened as they attempted to avoid a pack of motorcycle-riding paparazzi on their way to Dodi’s apartment after leaving the Ritz Paris. Even though the speed limit was only 30 mph, their car was travelling faster than that and eventually slammed into a pillar in the centre of the road.

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According to eyewitness accounts, additional photographers on the site were criticised for shooting pictures instead of attempting to assist in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Escaping media all the time

Although the photographers were first accused of being responsible for the collision, a French judge exonerated them in 1999. Paul, the driver, was found to have blood alcohol levels that were three times the legal limit for the nation, according to prosecutors. A thorough Scotland Yard investigation in 2006 revealed the collision was a “tragic accident.” But in April 2008, a British jury found that the driver and the paparazzi shared responsibility for the driver’s egregious driving behaviour.

Diana’s distinctive style

That hasn’t stopped more people from looking into how the press harassed Diana and her family. They were drawn to Diana in part because of her vibrant and audacious sense of style and in part because of the ways she deviated from royal custom.

Close relatives of Diana continue to express harsh disapproval of the paparazzi. Charles Spencer, her brother, referred to his sister as “the most hunted person of the modern age” when he said that the press was always following her.

Diana admitted in a shocking interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir in 1995 that both she and Prince Charles had extramarital romances, much to the dismay of the Palace. Diana had previously talked openly about her miserable marriage to Prince Charles. She referred to Prince Charles’s romance with Camilla Parker Bowles by saying, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” Later, in 2005, Charles would wed Parker Bowles without the presence of either Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip. Diana and Prince Charles finalised their divorce in 1996.

Diana’s charitable work

Diana put in a lot of effort on behalf of charities all around the world. That leverages her notoriety to bring attention to a variety of significant humanitarian concerns. Here are the reasons Diana will continue to be referred to as the “People’s Princess” twenty years after her passing.

Diana changed the face of the British monarchy. Moreover, she led a campaign for a worldwide ban on landmines. She also changed the world’s perception of HIV and AIDS. Furthermore, it raised awareness of leprosy. Made regular personal visits to London’s homeless centers. Not just that, she also reached out to children. Last but not least, she lent her support to the arts.

Even 25 years later, Diana’s shadow continues to hang over the royal family. Her boys continue to play a significant role in the story, mentioning her and preserving her legacy through all these different TV series and movies.

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