Britons remembers Princess Diana 20 years after fatal crash

Thursday August 31, 2017, marks twenty years since Princess Diana died in a car crash,  along with two others in Paris, triggering a flood of public grief.

The news sent shockwaves around the globe, and now two decades later many are still grieving the death of the “People’s Princess.”

Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry honored their mother on Wednesday when they paid tribute to their mother in the memorial White Garden at Kensington Palace, her former home, where she would stroll by and ask the gardeners about their ever-changing displays. The gates of Kensington Palace are covered with her photos.

The princes and the Duchess of Cambridge met with well-wishers after the walk, but aren't expected to take part in any engagements today.

People in London say 20 years later the princess is not forgotten.

 

A representative of Buckingham Palace told reporters that members of the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, do not plan to take part in any public commemorative events to mark the tragic anniversary. 

According to Buckingham Palace, no public events related to the anniversary of the princess’ death with the participation of royal family members are planned, the royal family will spend that day privately.

Meanwhile, admirers of the people’s princess - that’s how Diana will be remembered by millions of Britons - despite the rainy weather in London began bringing her photos and flowers to Kensington Palace gates, the way it was 20 yeas ago. 

At that time, UK residents paid their last respects to her as national hero. More than one million people took to the streets of London to take a glance at her funeral cortege, while half of the country’s population - over 32 million people - watched the funeral on TV.

Diana is rightfully considered one of the symbols of the end of the 20th century. A philanthropist, charity worker and fashion icon, she fascinated many people with her warmth, while straightforwardness was always her distinctive feature.

Princess Diana was one of the most famous women in the world thrust into the spotlight at just 19 when she got engaged to Britain’s Prince Charles.

Over the next 17 years, she became the most photographed woman and some, including her sons, believe the paparazzi, who hounded her in Paris the night of the car crash, are partly to blame for her death.

The princess was actively involved in the fight against AIDS, visited HIV-infected patients in hospitals trying to convince the public that people with such a diagnosis should not be treated as outcasts.

Diana did not hesitate to shake hands with them, although at that time there were numerous myths about that virus. Nor did she shun the lepers. She spoke out against the proliferation of antipersonnel landmines, which often afflict civilians.

The people’s princess travelled to Russia in 1995 visiting the Tushino children’s hospital in Moscow and donating medical equipment to it as part of her charity work. During her stay in the Russian capital, she received the International Leonardo Prize, which has been awarded to philanthropists and organizers of humanitarian activities since 1992.

Diana, Princess of Wales born in 1961 died in 1997 at the age of 36.