Happy Heavenly 60th: The World Remembers Princess Diana On Her Birthday Today

Jul 01, 2021 by apost team

Princess Diana was universally loved by not only the British public but by people the world over. She used her influence to enact good, spending much of her time campaigning for humanitarian causes that improved the lives of others. She sat with people who were ill, helping to break the stigma of the then-new diseases HIV and AIDS. These are the reasons she became known as the "People's Princess" — she was a shining beacon of light in the royal family. 

It's been nearly 24 years since she tragically passed away, but whenever we see photos of her it's still incredibly moving. This is a testament to how much the public adored her, and she's still often talked about and even featured in the media, whether for her charitable deeds or impeccable fashion sense.

Diana's early death in 1997 devastated not only the British royal family but also fans across the globe. In the wake of her passing, memorabilia to her quickly rose to prominence.

While there have been lulls of interest, Princess Diana remains a popular person and topic even to this day. Certain events and occasions such as documentaries or Netflix's recent series "The Crown" keep people interested in everything there is to know about Diana and the tragic tale behind her rise as a British princess.

Diana's name continues to inspire others to do good things with their lives, and the late princess has left a legacy that will be remembered for decades to come. On what would have been her 60th birthday, a statue is planned to be unveiled in her honor. 

Set to be unveiled on July 1 is the first official statue in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales. The date coincides with what would have been her 60th birthday. The official event has been pushed back due to the ongoing pandemic, but finally, the day for the statue's unveiling is here. It is set to take place at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace and will offer a location that fans can visit to pay their respects. 

As reported by the BBC, a statement released by Prince William and Prince Harry back in 2017 said:

"It has been 20 years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue."

It continued:

"Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy."

The official statue of Diana, Princess of Wales will be located at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, a spot that is said to have been her favorite on the grounds. The BBC also reported in 2017 that the statue had been a long time coming, considering Diana was the wife of a future king — Prince Charles — and the mother of another — Prince William. The main unofficial memorial to the late princess has until now been a fountain in Hyde Park in London.

Tatler reported that a new documentary that will explore her life and the major mark she made on her country, as well as the world, will be released on July 1, 2021, as well. 

apost.com

The documentary is directed by Robin Bextor, who has previously worked on docu-series such as Crown and Country as well as the TV movie documentary Glyndebourne: The Untold History. The documentary will feature insights from the princess’s "friends, allies, people who worked with her, royal correspondents, media experts and those touched by her charity work," coming together to remember "the real Diana and her achievements" according to a press release as reported by Tatler. 

One of the people who will be featured in the documentary is former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Diana met with the then First Lady in June 1997, just two months before her death, when the princess visited the White House for a charity engagement. Hillary and Bill Clinton attended her funeral just three months later.

Other people who are featured are Diana’s astrologer, Debbie Frank, who was one of her most trusted confidants, as well as dancer and choreographer Derek Deane of the English National Ballet, who became Diana's friend through their shared love of dance.

Tatler reported that the press release about the documentary further read that the movie will cover the "chronicles the life of Lady Diana Spencer, the young woman who married a prince, but who went on to become an internationally loved princess in her own right."

The documentary also looks at her groundbreaking work, and "her popularity with both the British public and with people all over the world." In the end, it is "the moving story of how the People’s Princess touched hearts, made a huge impact and became one of the most adored royals ever." 

It is going to be an emotional day for Prince William and Harry. Have you had any personal experiences with Princess Diana? Tell us about them, and be sure to pass this onto others as well.