Diana, Princess of Wales, will have been dead a dozen years on Aug. 31, 2009, and it appears the shock and public outcry of grief surrounding her death has faded.
Of course, for those who loved Princess Diana, her death will likely always remain shocking and a cause to grieve. In the greater public, however, tributes to “The People’s Princess” on the anniversary of her passing appear scant. No doubt bouquets of flowers will be laid in her memory at the gates of Kensington Palace in London, where she lived, and at Althorp, where she grew up and is now buried.
Tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales
In Paris, at the Pont d’Alma, in the tunnel in which Princess Diana was killed in a car crash, devoted fans may cover the overpass with even more signatures and messages. In Harrod’s Department Store in London, the memorial to Diana and Dodi Fayed, who also died in the crash, may also serve as the receptacle for more notes and bouquets. Any memorials to Princess Diana in 2009, it so far appears, will be more private and individual in nature.
The last great public tribute to Diana was probably 2007’s Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007, on what would have been her birthday and the year marking a decade since she’s gone. Her two sons, princes William and Harry, were seen dancing and enjoying themselves at the concert, billed as a celebration of Diana’s life, where a huge lineup of bands and singers entertained a huge crowd in London.
The Mystery Surrounding Princess Diana’s Death
Toxicology tests have revealed Diana’s driver was drunk that night and had lost control of their Mercedes, which was being tailed by paparazzi. Those refusing to believe Diana could have died as the result of a drunk driver preferred to mull murder and conspiracy theories. In April 2008, a coroner’s inquest concluded Diana had been killed by the negligent driving of the vehicles following her and the driver of the Mercedes.
The reason for the lack of fanfare on the 12th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death could simply be because life has moved on. Other stories have captured the public’s attention; in Diana’s own family, her sons’ love lives have made headlines. There is nothing more — nothing new, anyway — to say about Diana.
Who Would Princess Diana Have Been Today?
Had Diana lived, she would have now been 48 years old. She may possibly have remarried, or at the least involved in a relationship. Her public engagements would have been limited, a practice she put into effect shortly before she died, but her charity work would have likely continued in earnest. Above all, she would have continued to have been a loving mom to her sons.
The lack of public memorials or tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 12th anniversary of her death can be attributed to the fact that the public has moved on with their lives. Many who thought something other than a drunk driver contributed to her death may have accepted that fact. The people who knew and loved Diana, however, and her devoted fans, may mark Aug. 31 with their own private memorials.
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To dismiss Diana as a forgotten princess at this time, the 12th Anniversry
of her death, is a mistake. There are many who would travel to England
this year just as they have in the past to mark the date if they could.
However, the econdomies around the world have lessened the ability to
travel. I, for one, always think of Diana on August 31st. Today, I am
unable to be there but I am packing up my large collection of Diana
memorabilia to send to Ecuador to be placed in a Diana museum there in a
medical clinic. It is hoped that the collection will inspire the poor of
the country to seek help for eye diseases problems. Diana is still a
figure of love and hope for many. She will forever remain our Queen of
Hearts.
Sep 1, 2009 9:13 AM
Guest :
If there was any way..I could have gotten to London this year I would have
been there..It is not so much a moarning of her ..but a celebration of her
life..and the Diana friends all over the world..who she brought into my
life..Forget her? That would be like asking me not to breathe..she was
first a woman..then a princess..and she made a difference..something we all
can do..she remains the standard bearer for making this world a better
place..one heart at a time..she had mine from hello..she caught us with her
beauty..she kept us with her heart..Maria
Sep 6, 2009 4:49 PM
Guest :
Diana, the forever Princess I don’t know how many people now could
still remember this year is the 12th anniversary since Princess Diana’s
death. August 31st, 1997, Paris, the Rose of England even for the whole
Britain seared. It is said the traffic accident cause her death, but we
know that before that accident, the marriage with Prince Charles killed her
heart. I could still remember that date, July 29th, 1981, when I was an 8
years old girl. My parents and I sat in front of the TV and watched the
moment for the historical wedding which was called to be the centurial
wedding. She was so beautiful in that wedding dress; she waved and smiled
to her people. At that moment, I began to imagine my wedding; I wished I
could as beautiful as she in my wedding. In 1996, the news that Princess
Diana divorced with Prince Charles broke the image of Cinderella tale in
the reality. But we still love her, we considered her as the Princess
forever. Then bad news came one after another, Princess Diana died. My
friends and I were shacked then. On September 6th, 1997, the Rose of
England had been buried in the cemetery of her family. We do not have the
right to attend there, but we bought white roses and put them into the
Thames River, we hope these roses could bring her our missing. 12 years
have passed since her death, but every year, I went to The Diana Princess
of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park and put the white roses there.
Every time I went there, I bring the <a
href="http://www.ybuw.com/Wristbands/Customwristbands.asp">rub
ber wristbands</a> which we had in the memorial get-together for her
12 years ago with me. Every year, after placing my roses, I talk to her; I
tell her my love, my life, my husband and my son. She is the princess but
she is so easy-going. I know she could be replaced forever. No matter who
is the wife of Prince Wales now or in the future, they could never be as
nice and warm as Princess Diana---- the goddess in my heart. Maybe others
would forget her, but I will never forget her for one moment. No one could
deny that she is the Princess forever. cjniya
Sep 8, 2009 12:46 PM
Guest :
I didn't know princess Diana but part of me feel feels like I knew her I
just cant stop reading about her she is well missed.
Aug 4, 2009
