It has been ten years since Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car crash with Dodi Al Fayed in Paris, yet she remains an iconic figure in the UK, whose image continues to dominate magazine covers and newspaper headlines.
Diana’s death triggered an outpouring of national grief and a decade of conspiracy theories, linking her death to the British security forces and even the royal family.
And she remains a media phenomenon with thousands of articles and stories appearing about her in the British press each year.
Interest in the princess is rising again as her sons, Princes William and Harry, prepare to mark the tenth anniversary of her death with a memorial service at Guard’s Chapel in London’s Wellington Barracks on Friday.
The princes are to give readings at the service, which will be attended by 500 guests, including more than 30 royals headed by the Queen, and celebrities such as Sir Elton John and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
One person who won’t be attending is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who Princess Diana famously described as “the third person” in her marriage to Prince Charles.
Camilla, who married Prince Charles in 2005, said she feared her presence at the service “could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion”.
As well as the memorial service, Diana is being remembered with a photographic exhibition documenting her life at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Even ten years on it seems Britain is unwilling to let go of “the people’s princess”, and that her enduring legacy is to maintain the fascination of the British people, and indeed the world.
iconic figure
dominate
headlines
triggered
outpouring
grief
conspiracy theories
media phenomenon
press
memorial service
chapel
barracks
give readings
duchess
divert attention
purpose of the occasion
photographic exhibition
enduring legacy
maintain
fascination
