You might know her as ‘the People’s Princess’ or ‘Lady Di.’ To many around the world, she’s still an inspiration years after her tragic passing. When Diana married Prince Charles in 1981, she rose to fame and notoriously used this to bring recognition to important causes. From AIDS to mental health issues, she drew awareness to important topics and worked hard to clear the stigma around them. This year marks 25 years since the legendary royal lost her life. She was killed on 31st August 1997 in a high-speed car crash at just 36 years old.
Wendy Sharman, a superfan of Princess Diana, believes her to be someone who “stole all our hearts.” The admirer has followed Diana since the beginning of her journey with the royal family. On her importance, she said: “She went where no one else had ever been before. She held people’s hands with AIDS and leprosy. She cared and she taught her boys to care.” In 1987, Diana famously shook the hand of a man suffering with AIDS in front of the world’s media. The gesture changed people’s attitudes to the illness as she showed the public that the previously common belief that it could be spread through touch was, in fact, incorrect. This moment is symbolic of her unfathomable kindness and compassion, and many of her followers, like Wendy, remember her for this reason. Princess Diana modernised the royal family in retrospect. She knelt to children and sat on hospital beds – this was unlike anything a member of the monarchy had done before. The icon was truly devoted to her people and so kind-hearted, which is why so many people remember her today in the 21st century.
The People’s Princess has been portrayed many times through film and television. This is testament to her influential status. Most recently, Kristen Stewart took to the set to play the late princess in the 2021 film ‘Spencer.’ Set in 1991, it depicts Diana’s festive stay with the royal family at Sandringham and, in turn, her struggles with mental health. Janet Stevens, a follower of Princess Diana based in
Colorado, deems her portrayal in films and television as important. “I think it’s a good thing that she is represented in all these shows.” Janet considers film portrayals of Diana as beneficial to our society because it keeps her memory alive: “It teaches the next generation about her.” However, other royal fans believe that the media just doesn’t quite cut it with their depiction of the princess. Not everyone thinks that the message of her significance is conveyed in actors’ own interpretations. For Laetitia Rossouw, a South African admirer, screen portrayals of Diana aren’t significant to her at all: “I’d rather watch an old documentary or read a book about her. I’ve never watched any movies or shows with actresses playing her, they just don’t interest me.” Royal historian Carolyn Harris told Parade that The Crown, a show that follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II and recently featured Diana (Emma Corin) in season four, is not wholly accurate: “The Crown is a blend of fact and fiction, inspired by true events.” Because the portrayal of Diana is somewhat fiction in Spencer, fact and fiction can often become integrated and it could spread false information.
While her humanitarian work and her immeasurable compassion is the basis for her significant status, she is also known as an unparalleled style icon who was way ahead of her time. She has been labelled as ‘the most photographed woman in the world’ and there are a vast number of notable paparazzi photos to prove this. From her post workout cycle shorts and snug jumper look to her ‘revenge dress’ - the ensemble sported by the royal in retaliation to Prince Charles’ renowned admission of adultery - her style is impeccable and still relevant to today’s youth. Scouring through social media sites like Pinterest, you can see that Lady Di is still very much a style icon for those not yet even born in the prime of her royal status. Her attires are flaunted across users’ ‘boards’ as inspiration and visions for their very own outfit ideas.
The reason for ‘the People’s Princess’ nickname is evident in her charitable work and her own values, as well as her tasteful fashion sense. She remains an iconic figure even 25 years after her shattering death and her influence will certainly be evoked by future generations, as it has done for decades. With her kind-heartedness and compassionate character, she’s an example to so many different communities from all over the world. On 31st August, the nation will surely commemorate Lady Di’s influence and this legacy will continue for the foreseeable years to come.