If you’ve watched the most recent season of The Crown, then you undoubtably share my profound, deep hatred of Prince Charles and Camila #TeamDiana4ever. I do slightly feel bad for Charles and Camila that after two decades of relentless PR trying to win the public back over and buy into their “love story,” Netflix has single handedly blown that all up and reminded everyone that they are actually the worst. While I feel sympathy for Charles being forced into marrying Diana instead of his first choice of Camila, their mistreatment of her can never be forgiven.
When I was growing up, my mom was a big Princess Diana fan (like pretty much everyone else on the planet in the 90’s). I remember how she cried all morning the day of the funeral and it seemed like she listened to Elton John’s Candle in The Wind 100 times. I was too young at the time to fully understand what was so special about Diana and why my mom and so many others were so impacted by the loss of her, but now I get it.
Here are some of the reasons why Princess Diana was so beloved, evidenced by quotes from the Princess herself.
“I don’t go by the rule book… I lead from the heart, not the head”
“People think that, at the end of the day, a man is the only answer. Actually, a fulfilling job is better for me”
“From now on, I am going to own myself and be true to myself. I no longer want to live someone else’s idea of what and who I should be. I am going to be me”
“I want my boys to have an understanding of people’s emotions, their insecurities, people’s distress, and their hopes and dreams”
“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug. Heaven knows they need it.”
“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”
“Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.”
“I’d like to be a queen in people’s hearts.”
“Don’t call me an icon. I’m just a mother trying to help.”
“You can’t comfort the afflicted with afflicting the comfortable.”
“Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.”
“I am not a political figure, I am a humanitarian figure, always was, always will be.”
