SHE’S ALL THAT
written by PAIGE LI
edited by CHRISTIE LAM
artwork by VICTORIA BIFFEN
THE SPENCER CHRONICLES
Princess Diana Spencer was the woman who transcended celebrity and transformed the monarchy. Over the years, her story was told consistently through shows and films, both fiction and documentary. Her grace and beauty captured the hearts of millions, crowning her the name ‘The People’s Princess’. Her story captures the collective imagination of the masses for various reasons. Despite being caught up in the pure spectacle of royalty, she is recognized as human. She allowed people to feel connected to her and this connection was endured over the years beyond Diana’s tragically short life. Hence, the many many media’s depiction of Diana being met with enough continued support to ensure the sustenance of this trend. She was an astronomical woman, with no doubt. Her influence and impact, while short-lived, left many astonished and in awe. This article will be an experience to relive and an exploration of the late Princess Diana’s cultural influence and significance.
25 years after her passing, she is still remembered as a doting mother, humanitarian and global celebrity. Her attribution in modernizing the British monarchy allowed the royal family from being seen as inaccessible to approachable. In life, she revitalized their image and in death, she changed it forever. She was and continues to be the blueprint for today’s British monarchy. How did she do it? Diana is symbolic in every way as she defied the norm. She spoke and acted in a way the royal family never had before. She was everything but distant, stiff and dispassionate. While they waved with their gloved hands, she didn’t. She embraced them all, men, women and children with wide welcoming arms, she was ‘the girl next door’. Her unwavering compassion and kindness for people in need was evident. Her dedication to charitable causes won her admiration and accolades of a nation and allowed her to be seen as a symbol of warmth. A few revolutionary works she did in her lifetime would be her courageous act of touching the lives of the world’s most vulnerable. She taught us what it meant to love all and accept one another. She told the BBC in 1995 “Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society,” She ensured to make regular visits to charities and participated actively as patron of almost 100 charities. She had also removed the stigma around AIDS and HIV victims. In the 80s, the predominant narrative of AIDS and HIV patients being dangerous and contagious even through touch greatly affected patients and were left as social outcasts. Diana had completely dismissed such rumors and made the act to be the first to shake the hands of an AIDs patient in 1987. “HIV does not make people dangerous to know. You can shake their hands and give them a hug, heaven knows they need it,” she told the press at the time. Her actions inspired many and allowed patients to integrate into society. She also openly shared about her struggles dealing with bulimia, a life-threatening eating disorder. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, opening up about postpartum and body image struggles she dealt with throughout her unhappy marriage. She unveiled the ugly yet raw truth of being a princess and allowed women around the world to feel inspired, to feel resonated and heard. To also come out and tell their stories. She wasn’t just a princess, she was a complex, three-dimensional being, a mother, a woman and she taught others to not be fooled and to also appreciate themselves. She was a cultural icon in her own rights, beyond her influence in fashion and beauty. She was a true princess, her smile warmed millions and she loved and helped as many as she could.
Today, her legacy lives on in her children, Prince William and Prince Harry. Her emphasis on her children living a normal life and understanding how the real world works is seen as both William and Harry continue their mother’s work and choose to make a difference to the world. Rather than bide his time as second in line to the throne, William served as a search and rescue pilot in RAF for nearly eight years before taking on the royal duties he undertakes today. Prince Harry, who served in the British army for ten years and did two tours in Afghanistan, brought his Invictus Games for injured service members to the United States. They attribute their work to their mother and speak fondly of her as she remains in their hearts.
Diana, a mother and a mentor to all women, was a true princess. The world was blessed to be greeted with her presence and laughter. Her fate was tragic, but her work lives through generations and generations, making the world a better place. I'd like to imagine this is what she wanted.
‘Of all the ironies about Diana, perhaps the greatest was this — a girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age.” -Charles Spencer