Shortly after moving to London as a journalist, the biggest UK story of the decade broke.
I awoke to the news that a member of the royal family had died after being carried from a car. At first I thought it was the Queen Mother. But the tone of the news presenter had an edge of shock and disbelief that belied the death of a woman approaching 100.
That same incredulity was expressed by the taxi driver who sped me to work, and then by a prime minister who, while still in touch with the mood of a nation, talked of the “people’s princess”.
Princess Diana would have been 46 this July had she not died in a high-speed car crash in a Paris tunnel on August 31, 1997, along with her boyfriend, Dodi al Fayed and their driver.
I had grown up with blanket news coverage of a shy 19-year-old being courted by a prince, a fairytale wedding and a bitter divorce. She had matured into a woman hounded for her iconic status, and renowned for her pioneering attitude towards AIDS sufferers and campaigning against landmines.
I wonder what she would be known for now, if she were alive today. Would she have moved on to other campaigns, or would she have remarried and settled down in America?
Would she still be a target of the paparazzi’s long lens, and be a subject for the vitriolic pens of some tabloid reporters writing about her latest insecurity?
Her supporters can look back on a legacy that has helped develop an understanding of AIDS, and helped persuade more than 150 countries to abandon the use of anti-personnel mines.
Her sons have helped organise a concert in memory of their “remarkable mother” on July 1, which will include some of her favourite bands and performers including Sir Elton John.
William and Harry know best what kind of tribute she would have liked, and it certainly beats a fountain that doesn’t work, but I can’t help thinking that it’s a concept stuck in the 1990s rather than reflecting what might have been.
What do you think Diana’s legacy is? Is a pop concert a fitting tribute?
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16 comments so far
Princess Diana is fitting herself, any otherthing can’t fit her…
- Posted by D. Y. Jau~Mouga VivienIt is about time people moved on and recognised the realities of TODAY. Diana was a woman of her time and today she would not be the woman we knew then. Do you think she would bleat and moan on? NO! Let her rest in peace and everyone else get on with their lives. As for D Y J M thingyma’jig - maybe you should learn to speak English before you leave a comment. (As for you monitors why the heck did you publish it? Just because there was nothing else?
- Posted by davePrincess Diana was a wounderful lady her memories will live on for all the work she has done,but now please let her rest in peace
- Posted by PhilomenaWho cares?
- Posted by MartinI think a memorial is fitting, because she is missed. It will be a wonderful day of remembrence and celebration with people who knew and loved her best and simple folk who admired her. Too often we forget the important things in life and having this concert hopefully will remind us of the humanity and charity of one extrordinary human being, and what we can do to help keep her hopes and dreams alive.
- Posted by MichelleFitting tribute….I think so. I’ve been watching the concert and have gained more respect for Diana. Lots of people think she was a manipulative airhead, but I was gobsmacked to hear she learned to sign and did so to a deaf lad in the queue at Thorpe Park. To my shame, I haven’t learned to sign….have you???
We can possibly all remember where we where when Diana died, but can you recall your first words on hearing the news? I can.
I was half asleep, still in bed, and heard a few snippets of the news. I said….
‘Why are they talking about Diana’s work with landmines in the past tense….did she step on one?’
Appalling in retrospect, I know. But what did YOU say? And was it anywhere near as classy?
SuzyQ
- Posted by SuzyQI would have to agree with Michelle, Diana’s concert will bring a lot of enjoyment to many people throughtout the world.
- Posted by Peter JonesHer two fine son’s will continue with her work.
This concert is superb.
Im not normally a fan of these types of concerts but the mix the organisers have put together is spot on.
Theyve managed to keep a special atmosphere, a real celbration, with the right amount of time for each artist.
For me the best person so far has been Roger Hodgson. He got the crowd going and every one knew every song.
Superb. A pat on the back to the Princes and all the organisers.
Pete Jenkins
- Posted by Peter JenkinsSuzyQ, my first words were to the taxi driver because nobody in my flat was awake by the time I left for work. I’m afraid neither of us came up with anything interesting or amusing.
- Posted by Avril OrmsbyI think both of us must have been a bit overwhelmed because he didn’t give me the taxi driver’s definitive last word on Diana and I didn’t ask him “how he felt”.
What a good idea to call it a Concert for Diana; I don’t think that using any other name would have generated as much publicity! It is also good to see so many usually media-shy performers on the bill. Do they know how much damage this could do to their reputations?
In the celebrity loving, no questions asked, pop culture that we live in the site of David Beckham introducing Take That is a fitting tribute to the memory of Diana.
- Posted by AlanIs the show for charity or to perpetuate the memory of Diana, so the press can sell more papers?
As an event that craves attantion and coverage in the press, I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to a woman who was never out of the papers and has cursed us with her image ever since.
- Posted by AdamThe concert itself was a noble tribute to a wonderful person.
Some of the acts chosen to perform, however, I felt were totally inapropriate. Josh Stone, for example, (approx. 11 years of age at the time of Diana’s death) to her own admission didn’t even know who the Princess was.
- Posted by DomI am the founder of a children’s non-profit. I applaud the Prices for not only this fitting tribute, but most importantly generating vastly needed charity dollars by this event.
- Posted by Diane EsserPeople that attended were endeared by Diana by her heart and her grace and her compassionate charitble contribution to the children of our world.
What an amazing thing happened today. In her death, so much life and love go on because we continue to celebrate her life.
Her heartful sons carry on that light she gave so many. You can see it in their eyes. It is as if we are looking at their beautiful mother again in those kind and caring and fun loving eyes:)
I am the founder of a children’s non profit for special needs children, and I know the value they are adding to the world by this gesture today in revenue derived. Your mother is so proud! Diane Esser, Erie, Pa. USA
I don’t understand how someone can say “just let her rest in peace” when her legacy is so extremely important… and her sons, of all people, wished for this. How could you dissagree with them? How would you want your legacy to live on if it could benifit so many unfortunate people around the world? Not remembering someone like Diana is appalling.
- Posted by MichelleI do remember my first reaction, it was “what? no. no. no.” fallowed by a long night of tears. She was everything I wanted to be throughout my life. I was 13 when I watched her get married to a prince and I wished I could be just like her. I idolized her my entire life and her actions shaped me and I would like to think they helped me be the humanitarian I turned out to be. She is someone I will always aspire to be like and I will always remember and talk about freely.
Good for William and Harry they made a tribute concert for their mom on her 46th birthday. I do miss her and I have to say to people let her rest in peace.
- Posted by Princess April AnnPrincess Diana will never be forgotten. I think, like all other icons that have passed away, perhaps because of the political climate of our age, she’s been forgotten a bit. Maybe she is a reminder of a better age. When I see old footage of Princess Diana, I yearn for that much more interesting and charming time. No one even comes close these days. In many ways, the world has changed for the worse, which could explain why her sons chose a “pop concert” as a tribute. I don’t think a pop concert was good enough for her somehow, it seemed much too cheery and irrelevant. She may have enjoyed such music while alive, but in view of her tragic death and prince Charle’s marriage to Camilla, a more serious event should have been organized, something with more depth.
- Posted by Sara