A Letter to the Reader:
In this biography, you will find five highlighted segments of Princess Diana's life: her childhood, her marriage, her family, her charity and patronage, and her death. The information I have addressed in this biography have all come from reliable resources including the Official Website of the British Monarchy.
Click here for a timeline. Throughout the biography, certain words will be highlighted in purple (as you see above). Click on the highlighted words to be transferred to the corresponding page, or to the glossary for vocabulary definitions. Below you will find my tribute to Princess Diana I hope you enjoy. -S. Kiebach |
A Map of Buckingham Palace
A Tribute to the People's Princess
Diana, the Princess of Wales, captivated the world with her humanity, generosity, and vulnerability. Her true beauty shined from the inside-out during her magical life, through her tragic death, and unmatched legacy. From a "nobody to a princess", she became a role model for all children, women and people on Earth (Quote from Diana, herself).
I will reflect on Princess Diana's remarkable character through some of her most famous quotes.
She was vulnerable and honest, despite her fame, wealth and title. She once said, "I understand people's suffering, people's pain, more than you will ever know yourself..." The Princess of Wales used her compassion for all humanity through charity work and living among the common people to ensure that everyone felt loved.
I will reflect on Princess Diana's remarkable character through some of her most famous quotes.
She was vulnerable and honest, despite her fame, wealth and title. She once said, "I understand people's suffering, people's pain, more than you will ever know yourself..." The Princess of Wales used her compassion for all humanity through charity work and living among the common people to ensure that everyone felt loved.
"I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that, I want to do that."
-Princess Diana
During my research, I found a source that noted one particular action that caught my eye:
"April, 1987 Diana ... shakes the hand of a man suffering from the disease [Aids]."
Through my research, I found that society at that time genuinely believed that Aids could be contracted through casual contact (touching hands, sitting on beds of the infected, hugging, etc.). Diana was the first celebrity to ever be seen touching someone with the disease. Diana's gesture made a huge difference in attitude at a time when many people in Britain and the world were still ignorant about HIV and how it was transmitted. She said "HIV does not make people dangerous to know so you can shake their hand and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it."
"April, 1987 Diana ... shakes the hand of a man suffering from the disease [Aids]."
Through my research, I found that society at that time genuinely believed that Aids could be contracted through casual contact (touching hands, sitting on beds of the infected, hugging, etc.). Diana was the first celebrity to ever be seen touching someone with the disease. Diana's gesture made a huge difference in attitude at a time when many people in Britain and the world were still ignorant about HIV and how it was transmitted. She said "HIV does not make people dangerous to know so you can shake their hand and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it."
"Hugs can do great amounts of good - especially for children. "
-Princess Diana
“I've always though that people need to feel good about themselves and I see my role as offering support to them, to provide some light along the way....”
-Princess Diana
Despite society's negative connotation towards people with Aids, Princess Diana used her fame to spread a message to those suffering from the disease that she cared, and to those who feared the disease that they should care too. She touched people from all facets of life, to prove to them that someone cares, someone is there to support them, and that someone loves them. In my opinion, her active love for all humanity, to the contrary of society's prejudices, was the most honorable gift that she gave the world.
Furthermore, in my opinion, the most amazing thing ever recorded, that she said was, "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."
If we all shared this mindset, the world will be a better place to live. Through her genuine words and selfless action, she shaped history for the generations to come. More than the money she raised or her sponsorship, Princess Diana shared something far more valuable to this Earth. Princess Diana was human and as imperfect as you and I, but taught the world to care for one another; to care for our neighbors and our strangers; to hug often; and to follow your heart.
“Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back”
-Princess Diana
Princess knew what her destiny was. "It was to go out and meet the people and love them...Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life – a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are."
-Princess Diana
We can all learn from the person she was and as a world, we would be doing the greatest disservice to mankind, if we let her legacy, her passion and love for humanity, fade with time.