The twentieth anniversary of Princess Diana's death is quickly approaching on August 31. Although it has been twenty years since her death, her status as "the peoples' princess" has not faded due to her enormous popularity. People are still obsessed with Diana and her life story. So, what makes Diana's life so memorable and special that people are still fascinated by her today? Why is her legacy continuing to live on?
Diana's legacy lives on because she was special and unlike any other member of the royal family that had ever lived. She supported charities and causes like AIDS and landmines that were controversial at the time. She even spoke out against dangerous landmines against the wishes of the British government. The government supported the use of landmines but Diana was brave enough to speak out against them. This created tension but Diana did not care because she wanted to speak up for what was morally correct and humane, not for what was politically correct. Eventually, virtually every country agreed to no longer use landmines partially due to the publicity that Diana brought to the issue. In regards to AIDS, Diana openly visited patients and physically interacted with them. Many people refused to hug or touch AIDS patients because they thought that they were contagious. Diana helped clear up this misconception by visiting and hugging them herself. Diana supported issues that were misunderstood or overlooked, not the "traditional" or "safe" issues that the monarchy encouraged her to support. Prince Harry has since created his own charity in Africa to help those suffering from AIDS called "Sentebale."
Diana also made sure that her children were aware of homelessness, despite their royal status. She took Prince William and Harry into neighborhoods where they could see the realities of homelessness for themselves. It may not have been the safest or most traditional thing for young members of the royal family to do, but it was important to Diana that her children not be ignorant of the real issues of the world. Today, William still supports homeless shelters.
One of Diana's biggest impacts on the world was the attention she brought to mental health issues. Diana had a history of bulimia and there have been reports that she threw herself down the stairs in a suicide attempt as well. Once people learned that Princess Diana suffered from mental health issues, it helped lessen the stigma around mental health for some. Diana's children are still trying to lessen the stigma as well through Prince William, Harry, and Kate's mental health initiative named "Heads Together." Her children have begun to speak openly about mental health and how there should not be a stigma around it. Prince Harry has even publicly stated that he went to therapy to help him deal with his mother's death. Having the royal family speak out about such issues is a huge step forward in the battle to remove the stigma around mental health. Had it not been for Princess Diana setting an example for her children to stand up for causes that need more attention, they may not be supporting the great causes that they are today.
Princess Diana was more than a beautiful woman that the world loved. She was a brave person who was not afraid to stand up for what was right no matter what anyone else thought. This courageousness has been passed on to her children who are continuing her work everyday. That is why her legacy lives on.
