What do you think is Princess Diana's greatest achievement?
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From Hello Magazine's Tribute to Diana:
Princess Diana Remembered
How her memory is being kept alive
Ten years after her life was cut short in a tragic Paris car crash Princess Diana's spirit lives on, especially in her boys William and Harry. Hellomagazine.com marks the anniversary of the death of a national icon and one of the world's most cherished humanitarians with a look at how the people's princess is being remembered by those who loved her
Princess Diana Remembered
How her memory is being kept alive
Ten years after her life was cut short in a tragic Paris car crash Princess Diana's spirit lives on, especially in her boys William and Harry. Hellomagazine.com marks the anniversary of the death of a national icon and one of the world's most cherished humanitarians with a look at how the people's princess is being remembered by those who loved her
William Carries On Her Legacy
Diana's elder son has helped keep his mum's legacy alive by supporting the causes she was passionate about. He's stepped into her shoes as patron of Centrepoint, the homelessness charity she introduced the Princes to when they were still children. "She dragged me out and I didn’t know what was going on or where I was or anything, but it’s a visit that stayed with me for ever. And I’m very glad that she did," says Wills.
The personable young royal also seems to have inherited his mother's natural affinity with those from all walks of life. "He listens and connects with young people and their situations and makes people feel at ease," revealed former Centrepoint resident Stuart Cox. William is also president of the Royal Marsden hospital, which specialises in cancer treatment, a position held by Diana from 1989 until her death.
Diana's elder son has helped keep his mum's legacy alive by supporting the causes she was passionate about. He's stepped into her shoes as patron of Centrepoint, the homelessness charity she introduced the Princes to when they were still children. "She dragged me out and I didn’t know what was going on or where I was or anything, but it’s a visit that stayed with me for ever. And I’m very glad that she did," says Wills.
The personable young royal also seems to have inherited his mother's natural affinity with those from all walks of life. "He listens and connects with young people and their situations and makes people feel at ease," revealed former Centrepoint resident Stuart Cox. William is also president of the Royal Marsden hospital, which specialises in cancer treatment, a position held by Diana from 1989 until her death.
Harry Follows In Her Footsteps
Like his brother, Harry has taken on Diana's mantle as champion of the rights of the disadvantaged, in particular highlighting the plight of those living with HIV and Aids. He has continued his mother's work in that area through Sentebale, a charity he established in Lesotho to help children orphaned by Aids and other vulnerable young people. "It's a chance to sort of carry on what she left behind," he explains.
The charity, whose name means 'forget me not', was set up in collaboration with the country's Prince Seeiso. "We chose the name as a memorial to the charity work of our own mothers, as well as a reminder to us all not to forget Lesotho or its children," says Harry. Like his mum, Diana's younger son has a winning way with children, making them feel immediately at ease. The young soldier is also patron of WellChild, a charity caring for sick children in the UK, and MapAction, which provides cartographical support to aid agencies in the event of humanitarian disasters.
Like his brother, Harry has taken on Diana's mantle as champion of the rights of the disadvantaged, in particular highlighting the plight of those living with HIV and Aids. He has continued his mother's work in that area through Sentebale, a charity he established in Lesotho to help children orphaned by Aids and other vulnerable young people. "It's a chance to sort of carry on what she left behind," he explains.
The charity, whose name means 'forget me not', was set up in collaboration with the country's Prince Seeiso. "We chose the name as a memorial to the charity work of our own mothers, as well as a reminder to us all not to forget Lesotho or its children," says Harry. Like his mum, Diana's younger son has a winning way with children, making them feel immediately at ease. The young soldier is also patron of WellChild, a charity caring for sick children in the UK, and MapAction, which provides cartographical support to aid agencies in the event of humanitarian disasters.
A Musical Celebration Of Her Life
The brainchild of William and Harry, July 1's Concert For Diana – to mark what would have been her 46th birthday – brought together the Princess' favourite performers, from Duran Duran to Elton John. "We used to catch her dancing to her music," says William. "It was a big release for her and she had many artists she loved listening to."
"We wanted to have this big concert full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. And on her birthday as well, it’s got to be the best birthday present she ever had."
The late Princess' brother, Charles, Earl of Spencer, agrees it was something Diana would have adored. "She would be so proud of them for having done this tribute to her," he said. "She would have loved to have been there and would have been so proud of her boys for doing this. (It's) very much her sort of event."
The brainchild of William and Harry, July 1's Concert For Diana – to mark what would have been her 46th birthday – brought together the Princess' favourite performers, from Duran Duran to Elton John. "We used to catch her dancing to her music," says William. "It was a big release for her and she had many artists she loved listening to."
"We wanted to have this big concert full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. And on her birthday as well, it’s got to be the best birthday present she ever had."
The late Princess' brother, Charles, Earl of Spencer, agrees it was something Diana would have adored. "She would be so proud of them for having done this tribute to her," he said. "She would have loved to have been there and would have been so proud of her boys for doing this. (It's) very much her sort of event."
Her Friends And Family Remember
"Diana was always one of those people that whenever you got off the phone or when you saw her in person, you always felt elated after you'd spoken to her"
Good pal Elton John
"Diana was an extraordinary woman who gave comfort and care to many. She was a woman who loved music, dance, fun and laughter, a woman who gave of herself generously and who had a great and genuine feeling for the suffering, the rejected, the abused"
Close friend and mother of Diana's goddaughter, Rosa Monckton
"Diana was always one of those people that whenever you got off the phone or when you saw her in person, you always felt elated after you'd spoken to her"
Good pal Elton John
"Diana was an extraordinary woman who gave comfort and care to many. She was a woman who loved music, dance, fun and laughter, a woman who gave of herself generously and who had a great and genuine feeling for the suffering, the rejected, the abused"
Close friend and mother of Diana's goddaughter, Rosa Monckton
"We were so lucky to have her as our mother and there's not a day goes past when we don't think about her and miss her influence because she was a massive example to us both"
Prince William
"She was a happy, fun, bubbly person who cared for so many people"
Prince Harry
"Diana was simple in her tastes, and true to the things that mattered to her. She was the most unstuffy person I knew"
Rosa Monckton
"She didn't go by what she thought the best thing was to do or be told to do something, she would do it from the heart and fully immerse herself into it and she cared, she cared massively"
Prince William
"(She was) a loving and dedicated mother and a great icon of giving"
Kiefer Sutherland, speaking at Concert For Diana
"She was the most wonderful lady and a great friend and I miss her desperately. Every day I think about her. I miss her humour, I miss her laughter"
Sarah, Duchess of York
Lasting Memorials
In the wake of Diana's death a spontaneous wave of public generosity led to the setting up of the Diana Princess Of Wales Memorial Fund. Seeking to honour and continue her humanitarian work by focusing on the disadvantaged the fund has pledged more than £70 million to over 350 organisations around the world. Reflecting the Princess' interest in helping young people, a Diana Award was also established to reward selfless youngsters who've made a special contribution to their schools and communities.
In London official memorials to the Princess include a fountain in Hyde Park and a playground in Kensington Gardens. And at Althorp – the Spencer family home – (left) there's a permanent exhibition of her life and work. Items on display include her wedding dress and childhood letters. This year the National Portrait Gallery is also hosting a display of images of the royal icon, which runs until January 2008.
In the wake of Diana's death a spontaneous wave of public generosity led to the setting up of the Diana Princess Of Wales Memorial Fund. Seeking to honour and continue her humanitarian work by focusing on the disadvantaged the fund has pledged more than £70 million to over 350 organisations around the world. Reflecting the Princess' interest in helping young people, a Diana Award was also established to reward selfless youngsters who've made a special contribution to their schools and communities.
In London official memorials to the Princess include a fountain in Hyde Park and a playground in Kensington Gardens. And at Althorp – the Spencer family home – (left) there's a permanent exhibition of her life and work. Items on display include her wedding dress and childhood letters. This year the National Portrait Gallery is also hosting a display of images of the royal icon, which runs until January 2008.
I think that she raised awareness, and was the inspiration for many people to look into some of the various aspects of a very lucrative and high-profit industry, in some cases, perhaps people who would otherwise not have given much thought to the extremes and intensity of motivation that is involved when large amounts of money are at stake.
And though it may sound obvious, even trite, for some her life might stand as a reminder that one can possess great wealth and social position, yet live in the most squalid poverty with regard to that other dream of all the young girls who close their eyes and fantasize about being princess brides - true love.
Like everybody else, while we can't know what was or was not in anyone's heart, especially when they are not here to tell us about it, I like to think that as her life drew to a close, she had at last found her real Prince.
And though it may sound obvious, even trite, for some her life might stand as a reminder that one can possess great wealth and social position, yet live in the most squalid poverty with regard to that other dream of all the young girls who close their eyes and fantasize about being princess brides - true love.
Like everybody else, while we can't know what was or was not in anyone's heart, especially when they are not here to tell us about it, I like to think that as her life drew to a close, she had at last found her real Prince.
I just finished reading the Tina Brown book, and after reading the Diana Chronicles, I would say that her greatest achievement was all her charity work in her later years. As messed up as her private life might have been, she realized the symbolic power as a princess of the people and made people believe that she understood their pain and suffering, because, as Brown wrote-- she too suffered greatly and felt the greatest empathy for those in pain.
