The People’s Princess
Here’s something you didn’t know about me. I was a politics major but I love(d) history. I loved mythology. I loved learning about the past and cultures and social studies. Bringing this love into the tawdry present, I was a Princess Diana fan. So when I sixteen and Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, heir to the throne, I set my alarm for four A.M. and got up to watch the fairytale. 
No, I didn’t know then I wanted to write or that I’d be a romance author who penned my own happy endings any more than anyone knew Lady Di would divorce Prince Charles and die too soon. I still remember where I was when I got the news that the Princess had been in a car accident in a Paris tunnel. I was sitting with my daughter on AOL and I read about the crash. I woke up the next morning to the awful news. 
And like the rest of the world (or most of it) I mourned her death as if I knew her. I cried buckets. I cried for her now motherless boys who were left with the unfeeling royals to raise them. And I bought the Elton John CD of the single he said he’d “never sing again” after he recorded it right after the funeral. I would like to think it wasn’t the sensationalism that I was drawn to, but what I perceived to be her open, generous spirit, her giving. To me, Diana represented what I wished I could be – willing to help those in need not just financially but personally. I think I was a little in love with the People’s Princess.
So when I saw the recent trailer for the movie THE QUEEN with Helen Mirren starring as Elizabeth II in the days following Diana’s death, I wanted to see the movie. I also knew nobody in my family would go with me. Shockingly, my parents decided to go see it on Sunday and I went with them. I am so glad I did. The movie was a fascinating (if slanted? I don’t know/I don’t much care) look into the stuffy royal family. 
Following Diana’s death, the public knew the British royal family remained in Scotland at Balmoral on holiday. They didn’t know what went on behind the scenes but oh everyone was curious and ate up the tabloids. The truth – and again I think the movie wasn’t slanted but a real portrayal of struggle – was that the Queen (much as she hated what Diana became and had done in her mind to the family and their perception) had been raised as royalty. She knew only how to remain above the people. To be stoic. In control. She waited, day by day, for the public to “come to their senses” and realize she was doing the right thing. Remaining withdrawn from them. If the movie is to be believed, she caved in and returned to England, lowered the flag over Buckingham Palace, made a public appearance before the mountains of flowers, and allowed a public funeral, because Tony Blair who had just recently been elected Prime Minister, talked her into doing so. He pointed out the error of her ways and helped her save the monarchy in England – at least for the time being. If the movie can be believed, the Queen cried for a stag about to be killed by her husband the hunter, but not for Diana. There is dry humor. The Queen Mum is a riot – whether or not she was meant to be.
And lessons were learned. The Queen learned it hurts to be disliked. (Oh don’t all mere mortals understand that!) and she told Tony Blair, who profited politically from that week following the accident, one day they shall turn on you too. Without warning. And thanks to current events (we steer clear of politics and controversy on plotmonkeys), slowly they have. What goes around comes around. History repeats itself in mysterious ways. And in the end, it all comes down to human nature. Even the Queen is human.
And Diana, the people’s princess, forever immortalized in grace and perfection, was sadly the most human of all. I hope she’s found the peace that eluded her in life.
I suppose I should ask a question to generate conversation … like who do you idolize? But really, I just wanted to post my thoughts, and hear yours whatever they may be!
I’m going to have to agree with you about Diana. I loved her, knew she wasn’t perfect but imagine living the life she lead. She was more sensitive than the position allowed, yet her sensitivity is what made her so special. Look at how she treated those less fortunate. She may originally have been admired and envied for being a real honest-to-God Princess, but she was loved because of all the important causes she supported, getting right there in the mix. Even now, almost 10 years later, we feel the loss. I’ll never forget watching her sons walking during the ceremony. How heart-wrenching that was.
Mother Teresa also died that same year. Another light that went out, but manages to live on in people because of the impact she had on the world.
I’m trying to think of anyone nowadays that comes to mind. Surprisingly enough, Angelina Jolie seems to be taking up the torch for many of these causes. I don’t know that anyone could ever take Diana’s place with all her works, but it’s heartening to see someone try.
Comment by Stacy ~ — October 24, 2006 @ 6:41 am
Wow, well, let me wipe the tears so that I can see what I type. I also got up at 4:00 am and watched the wedding. I actually cancelled majorette practice that day so that we could stay home and watch (I was head majorette, I had some clout).
And she died on my birthday, something I’ll never forget. We were having a huge party, all of us out on the pier at the family river house and I think we were all stunned, and changed in some way too, when we got the news. My husband, the funeral director, didn’t understand the emotion that the women especially were feeling. He said, “People die every day.” I remember looking at him for a long time, trying to figure out how he could not possibly understand what she meant to the world. All I could say was, “Not people like her.”
And the sight of those boys following the coffin…:cry:
But I think she lives on in both of the boys. Definitely William and I think Harry has her fun and mischief side. Who knows what they might do with their lives? And I think all of us could strive to be just a little like her, open and accepting of others, as well as our own faults.
She and Mother Theresa both were my role models, so it was indeed a dark year. I can’t think of anyone that is that large of a public figure who is making the impact they did. I hadn’t thought about Angelina, but you may be right about that, Stacy. Who’d a thunk?!?
Comment by Jodie — October 24, 2006 @ 8:42 am
I, too, admired Diana for standing up for people less fortunate. She opened a lot of people’s eyes regarding various controversial issues. I, too, admired Mother Theresa. She did it in a much quieter, different way. I don’t know about Angelina. I am very suspicious of her (don’t ask why). I am not sure about her intentions (to me, intentions are what is important). Just a thought.
Comment by katie — October 24, 2006 @ 9:36 am
I was there at 4:00 am with you! It was such a fairy tale - but TRUE! What pre-teen girl doesn’t fall in love with that?!
My 5-year old daughter went to the Princess Di exhibit at the museum in Houston this past summer. And even SHE idolizes her and she talks about her all the time!
There was really something about her that brought people in, wasn’t there?
As for idols… not this girl. I learned a long time ago that when you idolize people, you set them up to disappoint you. As you said, even the Queen is human!
Comment by Lara — October 24, 2006 @ 9:56 am
Katie- I agree with you about Angelina. Maybe because the publicity both Princess Di and Mother Theresa generated wasn’t aimed at making them look good, but to bring attention to the cause itself. Angelina, and Brad, have both managed to generate publicity that puts them in the forefront instead. I think that is what bothers me most.
I got up and watched the wedding too. I actually blew off a drill weekend for it. Then I was up early watching the funeral. Hubby actually got up to sit with me, not because he cared about the funeral, but because he knew someone had to hold the kleenex box.
I want to go see the movie- thank you for the review on it. Wonder what my Scottish grandmother would say were she still alive? She was older than Elizabeth, so she remembered her as a young woman who drove trucks during the war. I sometimes wonder how much of her emotionalless attitude is not becuase she is just a roayl We, but becuase of the things she did see during that time period and she learned how to put her emotions aside and do what needs to be done, and how much it may have affected who she is and was to become. It’s not a path anyone every reflects on much from everything I have read.
I need to go finish my coffee. Too much thinking too soon.
Comment by ev — October 24, 2006 @ 10:05 am
Oh, and politics aside, I admire Laura Bush. She keeps the need to read in the forefront of what she does and in this country, sadly, that is so very needed. I also admire what Bill and Miranda Gates are doing with all that money they have made over the years.
But who I really admire are those who don’t have a whole heck of a lot to begin with but try to make life easier for someone else. I try to live by the ideal of pay it forward. We may not all have Gates money or political pull to push our viewpoint to the front, but by doing little things for others we make those lives a little better.
Comment by ev — October 24, 2006 @ 10:12 am
Great blog, Carly. I, too, watched both the wedding and funeral and cried when she died. It’s amazing how someone you don’t even know can affect you so profoundly.
I’d really like to see the movie, but my hubby isn’t interested. I might have to wait until it’s out in DVD!
Comment by Janelle — October 24, 2006 @ 11:14 am
Ev, you made me think about a minister I was speaking with two weeks ago. She said, “Sometimes I really worry about our great country.” So I asked her, “How do you keep it in perspective? How do you keep from being overwhelmed by all that you see?”
She said, “I can’t hug America, but I can wrap my arms around my own feet and take care of those right here around me. Like the sweet girl next door who I can’t communicate with because she doesn’t speak English. That doesn’t keep me from smiling and hugging her.”
That was a great lesson for me and I think if we all took some time to help those right here next to us what a better place the world would be.
Comment by Jodie — October 24, 2006 @ 11:32 am
I admire Laura Bush, too. I have to say that when I had a chance to see her in person, I was blown away by her inner light. This woman shines in ways that are unexpected–a die-hard liberal friend of mine (trust me when I say that this friend makes Hillary Clinton look like Newt Gingrinch) met her recently and was struck by the same grace and illumination as I was. I admire her mother in law, as well. Both are strong women to not only survive, but shine in the glare of all that powerful male testosterone.
I have to say that I also admire Hillary Clinton, too, if for nothing else because she hasn’t let her personal pain derail her political ambitions. She held her head high at a time when a lot of women would have gone into seclusion and no one would have blamed her. She has her own agenda and she’s playing with the big boys. Gotta love that.
But if I have to pick the people I admire most, I have to pick my mother, who puts up with the craziness in our family and holds us together, my fellow plotmonkeys who not only perservere as writers under huge pressure, but are the best mothers on the planet and my readers, who love the written word and make it possible for me to have the best job in the universe. I also admire my daughter’s teacher for being a working mother who gives her heart to 20 other children each and every day (not to mention nurturing my child, who isn’t always the easiest one to deal with). And her soccer coaches for all the same reasons–how they can get through practice and games without once raising their voices EXCEPT when shouting across the field to be heard blows my mind.
Comment by Julie Leto — October 24, 2006 @ 12:03 pm
This was a great blog Carly. I remember watching the wedding with my daughter. And then the funeral. Diana will always have a place in our hearts because she was for the people …….
Comment by Cryna — October 24, 2006 @ 12:22 pm
Like you and so many others I also set my alarm clock and watched the wedding.
I hate what the royal family did to Diana. :thumbsdown:
I still tear up when I hear Elton John sing her song.:cry:
Diana was the fairy princess that we all dream of becoming when we grow up.
Comment by Gigi — October 24, 2006 @ 12:48 pm
I don’t remember their wedding, since I was five-ish, but I do remember seeing Fergie and Andrew’s. I definitely loved following Diana back then, I don’t know if that fueled my love for England or the other way around. LOL Sherlock Holmes helped a bit too (particularly Basil Rathbone).
My idol, Albert Einstein. He’s an incredibly imperfect smart guy who had hair problems like I do. Gotta love him. I admit I celebrate his birthday every year, although it’s a tiny cake for just little me. . . but if only I could get his autograph on one of his many books that I have. . . Sigh. LOLOL
Lois
Comment by Lois — October 24, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
I also have to agree with you about Diana.
Comment by Estella — October 24, 2006 @ 3:19 pm
I, too agree with you about Diana. I remember seeing highlights of the wedding while I got ready for school (elementary). It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized the phenomenon that the wedding truly was.
I also embraced Diana and her works in my heart. I remember the day she died just as if she had been one of my own family members that passed.
As for someone that I idolize,I vote for my mom and myself. I know, I know how narsarristic that sounds–but let me explain. I try to emulate all the good of my mom and other people who I admire and add my own good deeds, etc. to illustrate through my daily live as an example for my own children. I think I am doing a pretty good job and am a good role model for them. They are empathetic, and kind, and I believe this is a direct result of the example I set for them.
My hope is that one day they hold me in as high esteem as I hold my own dear mother.
Comment by Debbie — October 24, 2006 @ 3:31 pm
Great blog Carly
I did watch the wedding and funeral. It was so sad:cry: watching those boys walk behind their mothers coffin.
Diana will always have a place in our hearts because she was for the people.
Comment by Cherylann Natale — October 24, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
Julie- Can i send you Hillary? Please??
Comment by ev — October 24, 2006 @ 3:41 pm
My heroes are definitely my sons’ teachers, therapists, etc. My oldest has autism and not many people are willing to deal with that. He’s made great strides with their help. I appreciate them doing all that they do. My other little guys are not the easiest either.
When I was growing up (and still) my hero was still my mom. She has been so supportive of all of our family. We’re not the easiest, but she still loves me. She’s been gone on a trip the past couple of weeks (and I have been having a tough time) and she just emailed me….who hoo. She’s there to support me again! It just goes to prove, you are never too old to need your Mom!
Comment by katie — October 24, 2006 @ 6:03 pm
Katie
Comment by Cherylann — October 24, 2006 @ 7:05 pm
Ewwww, I don’t know anything about Angelina and her brother - thank goodness! Glad I’ve missed that story!
Comment by Jodie — October 24, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
I too agree with you about Diana. I hope the Queen lives forever just so Charles never gets the throne - he was on the phone to his mistress on his honeymoon - she never had a chance.
Comment by catslady — October 24, 2006 @ 8:04 pm
Carly thanks for the review on the movie. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to see it. I think I do. Helen Mirin (sp?) is suppose to be excellent as the Queen. I remember watching Elizabeth become Queen so I was into adulthood when Charles & Diana married & remember watching it on TV. He should never have married her. I wept for her boys that are being raised without her, her humanity, her spirit, her love for them. I hope they turn out to be outstanding adult men but only time will tell.
Whoops! I got on my soapbox there!!! 
Is it Angelina & Brad that draw attention to themselves or the always present, extremely invasive media? The media in our world today are just out of control & need to have some limitations put on them.
My idols/heroes are my Dad & my uncles that all served during WWII. Only 1 uncle is still alive but I’m so lucky to have had each of them in my life, they were/are the best. :love2:
Comment by Donna M — October 24, 2006 @ 8:25 pm