New Delhi: It can be safely said that in the modern era, Princess Diana was possibly the most popular and loved personality in the British Royal Family, someone whose charming presence was embraced by almost everyone in the world. She was the first wife of Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and was made the Princess of Wales. Also, she was the mother of Princes William and Harry. She became an international icon due to her activism and glamour. That is why, her untimely death on this day in 1997 shocked the world and her works have earned her enduring popularity. Even today, Princess Diana does not fail to evoke a sense of awe and respect.
Princess Diana and the car accident that ended her journey
Princess Diana, whose tumultuous relationship with the Prince of Wales was the talk of the town at that time, passed away on August 31, 1997, in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. The accident, as per reports, took place when her driver was avoiding the paparazzi and was speeding to get to a safe distance.
The crash, apart from Diana, also killed Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul. Trevor Rees-Jones, a bodyguard, was injured in the head. On September 6, a British television audience that peaked at 32.1 million watched the funeral. It remains one of the highest viewing figures in the history of the UK television industry. Also, it was watched by the US television audience which peaked at 50 million. It was broadcast to more than 200 nations and as per estimates, 2.5 billion people watched the funeral. These staggering numbers only show the tremendous popularity of Princess Diana.
Why was Princess Diana so popular?
Princess Diana was unlike any other member of the British Royal Family. People loved her when she represented the Queen at functions across the Commonwealth nations. She became a celebrity due to her unconventional approach to charity work. Initially, she focused on children and the elderly while doing charity.
Later, she got involved in two particular campaigns which would make her popular among the common people. One of the campaigns involved the attitude of society and its acceptance when it came to AIDS patients. The other campaign was the removal of landmines which she promoted through the International Red Cross. Diana also worked extensively for people affected by mental illness and cancer. A shy person, Diana’s friendliness and charisma made her a lovable figure to the public. Even when her marriage collapsed, her social work and her attitude helped her reputation survive. Also, she was regarded as a fashion icon of the 1980s and 1990s. Her death was mourned by billions of people and she remains an iconic figure to this day.
Princess Diana became an international icon due to her activism and glamour. That is why, her untimely death on this day in 1997 shocked the world and her works have earned her enduring popularity. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
