Today marks 27 years since the death of the ‘people’s princess’, Diana, Princess of Wales. On 31st August 1997, Diana was involved in a fatal car crash in Paris, leading to her death later at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. During her life Diana helped many individuals and changed the face of the British Royals forever. She worked hard with many charities to spread awareness about a variety of different causes. Just months before her passing, in the summer of 1997, she worked on bringing light to the landmine issues across Angola. Her care for the world was also shown in 1987 when she was the first royal to shake hands with an AIDs patient. During this time there was a lot of fear and stigma associated with HIV and AIDs sufferers, however Diana’s handshake was a huge turning point. Her love and care for people had an incredible impact on how people viewed Diana, however it wasn’t until her death in 1997 that people realised how big of an impact she had really made.
31st August 1997 is a day which everyone will remember. The world fell silent in shock as the most famous woman in the world was gone. Seas of flowers flooded palaces and parks across the world, lighting up paths and gateways. Many wrote letters of condolence and sympathy to her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, but by far the most remembered moment of the summer of 1997 was Princess Diana’s funeral.
Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets of London to say goodbye to the Princess. Many people cried as their hearts broke for Diana’s children who walked with their mother to Westminster Abbey. The world cried, the world paused to say goodbye to a remarkable woman. Now, 27 years on, Princess Diana is still spoken about every day. The work she did during her time as a public figure is still very present today. She is honoured through her children and by charities such as The Diana Award, as it is important for her work not to be forgotten.
Diana, Princess of Wales: 1961 - 1997
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