How Princess Diana is still remembered as the "Queen of people's hearts."?
LONDON: Diana's tumultuous 36-year existence, from her engagement to Prince Charles as a timid adolescent to her roles as a doting mother, philanthropist, and global celebrity, continues to captivate people worldwide.
In 1981, at the age of 20, she married the heir to the throne, following what the media depicted as a fairytale marriage. She was young, gorgeous, and fun.
The tabloid-fueled breakup of her marriage to Charles threw the monarchy into continual instability and drove her to self-harm.
She revealed her infidelity and that of her husband with Camilla Parker Bowles in a groundbreaking interview from 1995
The interview shocked several members of the British establishment because it took the mystery out of the monarchy and placed doubt on Charles's suitability to be King.
Her image has changed in recent years due to her sons' efforts, who are fighting for her honor and using her alleged abuse by the press as ammunition in their feuds with the media.
According to royal historian and novelist Ed Owens, "now she is the sainted figure and they have exalted her as such," since they have "spoken constantly about how she was pursued to her death by the media."
Recent fictionalized depictions of Diana's life in Hollywood's latest film and the hit Netflix series "The Crown" have sparked renewed interest in the Princess and her fashion choices.
When it returns to TV screens this fall, "I think 'The Crown' will do much to deepen that idea of a human tragedy, again a saintly figure," Owens said.
A state of mental anguish
She was born on July 1, 1961, into a wealthy and aristocratic family with ties to the British royal family through her father's service to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
Growing up with three siblings during her parents' acrimonious divorce was difficult.
She dropped out of high school at 16 without any credits, completed her education in Switzerland, and then found work in a London nursery.
Her life altered drastically, though, as she became connected to Charles.
The prince finally gave in to the mounting pressure to settle down and pop the question when he was 32.
According to Diana, the couple only dated for 13 dates.
A potential monarch The following year saw the birth of Prince William, and the subsequent two years saw the births of Prince Harry.
Diana was an "extremely devoted mum," according to Robert Hardman, a former royal reporter and author of "Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II."
He claimed she showed "the same level of interest, care, encouragement, and indulgence" for each of them.
Diana was also empathetic and stylish and rode a tide of public support for the British monarchy to prominence.
She used her power for the greater good, meeting and greeting people who were social outcasts due to their illness, such as those with AIDS and leprosy.
But behind closed doors, she struggled with bulimia and the idea that her husband did not love her—and no one in the royal family seemed to notice
"Anxiety, suspicion, and loneliness"
In 1992, biographer Andrew Morton revealed Diana's anguish in a groundbreaking book based on audio cassettes she had recorded in response to his inquiries through a common friend, sparking rumors that the marriage was in peril.
In December that year, the shocking news broke that the royal couple had decided to divorce.
As the media reported more accusations and counter-accusations, the scandal grew, and eventually, both Charles and Diana admitted to having affairs.
Diana revealed her romance with army commander James Hewitt in a 1995 interview with the BBC's "Panorama" program. Still, she criticized the royal family and questioned her husband's competence to be King.
The BBC has finally come clean about the interview's dubious origins and promised not to run the entire thing again.
William has criticized the media mogul for contributing to Diana's "anxiety, paranoia, and isolation" in her final years.
Queen Elizabeth then expressed her sorrow and urged Charles and Diana to divorce in a letter.
Her divorce was finalized on August 28, 1996, and Diana lost her royal titles. The happy ending had ended.
Since she was still known as Diana, Princess of Wales, she continued to attract attention.
The public's outpouring of sorrow after her death in a car crash on August 31, 1997, was monumental.
Million people in London to pay their respects at her funeral, and a tonne of flowers was placed outside her Kensington Palace home.
There was an upsurge in republicanism due to the public's fury at the royal family following her death, fueled partly by the queen's initial unwillingness to return from Scotland to greet the people.
A quarter of a century later, the monarchy looks to have gained new popularity.
With his reputation restored, Charles will soon be crowned King, and Camilla will become his Queen Consort.
Although she has proclaimed herself "queen of people's hearts," she will likely never achieve Diana's level of fame.
