Today marks 25 years since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales. It was a defining moment. Like many others, I can distinctly remember where I was when I heard the news. I can still vividly recall that overwhelming sense of loss, which led me from my East London flat to Kensington Palace, to lay flowers.
Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award
The reaction to her death was like nothing we’d ever seen before; she was mourned by millions who had never met her, but who related to her. Her ability to connect with people though kindness and compassion is one of her most significant legacies. She left a mark on all our lives.
The Diana Award was set up two years later and remains the only charity in memory of the late princess, celebrating the work of young changemakers – who continue her legacy of service and selflessness and who, like her, use what power they have to change the world for the better.
I am incredibly honoured to lead this charity as we continue her legacy, shining a spotlight on the issues that affect young people – who are often not the face of these societal issues, but bear the brunt of the impact. This spans everything from mental health issues to the social and economic barriers which disproportionately leave thousands of young people behind, to the enduring impact of the cost of living crisis. Last month, both William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Harry, the Duke of Sussex, paid tribute to multiple generations of such young people, who they see as the personification of their mother’s legacy.
Diana Spencer at the London nursery she used to work at as a teacher
Diana believed that young people have the power to change the world. Continuing her legacy means supporting children and teenagers and helping to change their lives by tackling the big issues of our time. Like the people's princess, they are not afraid to speak out and be at the forefront of change. I can only imagine how immensely proud she would be of the tens of thousands of young people from across the world who are continuing her life's work, and acting with similar kindness and compassion.
Here are five things you can do to help extend that legacy:
1/ Serve someone or a cause without seeking reward.
2/ Be inclusive. Look out for that person on the ‘outside’. Diana often used her privilege to shine a spotlight on excluded communities.
3/ Show kindness like Diana did, in school or work – but especially as we head back to school.
4/ Give generously: you have a currency that someone else needs. Diana believed that everyone has value and everyone has the potential to give back.
5/ Invest in young people. Help The Diana Award continue its vital work by becoming a supporter of the charity. Your generosity will help us extend her legacy.
FAQs
Diana believed that young people have the power to change the world. Continuing her legacy means supporting children and teenagers and helping to change their lives by tackling the big issues of our time. Like the people's princess, they are not afraid to speak out and be at the forefront of change.
What is Princess Diana's lasting legacy? ›
Today, her legacy lives on in everything from Windsor's more accessible approach to the public to William and Harry's charity work to virtually everything Kate does. Nearly twenty years after her death, 'The Diana Effect' is alive and well – and a guiding principle for today's modern British monarchy.
Why are we still talking about Princess Diana 25 years after her death? ›
Many young people were not alive in 1997, but they see her life playing out through William, Harry, and their wives, and all of those dynamics. Both William and Harry have made Diana so central to their stories, whether it's on a symbolic level or in terms of projects they take on, their attitudes towards the media.
Did Diana and Charles have a daughter? ›
No. She did not. She had two sons, William and Harry, but no daughter was born to her.
Did Dodi propose to Diana? ›
The 2007 inquiry conducted by Metropolitan Police found that while Fayed may have been planning a proposal, that evidence points to the conclusion that one did not take place, per CBS News. The ring was found at Fayed's flat, which Diana had not visited that day.
What can we learn from Princess Diana? ›
She passed away in 1997, but her legacy as a leader and humanitarian continues to inspire people around the world. Leadership Lessons from Princess Diana: Empathy and Compassion: Princess Diana believed that leaders must be able to connect with others on a personal level and understand their struggles and challenges.
Did Prince Charles cry when Diana died? ›
In King: The Life of Charles III, Christopher Andersen says Charles was "ashen and trembling" when he heard the news of Diana's death. "He let out a cry of pain that was so spontaneous and came from the heart. Palace staff rushed over to Charles' room and found him collapsed in an armchair, weeping uncontrollably."
Did Queen Elizabeth cry when Princess Diana died? ›
Although she survived the crash itself, Diana died from her injuries after being transported to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, the Associated Press says. Understandably, the world eagerly awaited comment from the royal family, but Queen Elizabeth remained silent for several days after the tragedy.
Did Princess Diana have a daughter with Down syndrome? ›
No. However, Diana did have a goddaughter who has Down Syndrome — Domenica Lawson, daughter of Diana's close friend, Rosa Monkton and not a secret at all. Silly question! If she really had a secret daughter then nobody would know about it would they?
How many biological children did Princess Diana have? ›
Family was very important to the Princess, who had two sons: Prince William and Prince Henry (Harry). After her divorce from The Prince of Wales, the Princess continued to be regarded as a member of the Royal Family. Diana, Princess of Wales, died on Sunday, 31 August 1997, following a car crash in Paris.
If Diana were still alive today, had not remarried, and assuming that Charles had still married Camilla, the two women would have similar but different titles. Assuming she hadn't remarried, her title would remain; Diana, Princess of Wales. Catherine is Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales.
Did Diana refuse to marry Dodi? ›
Did she really reject him? Not to our knowledge. By all accounts—except that of Mohamed Al Fayed (we'll get to that)—the two were not engaged at the time of their deaths.
Did Dodi really buy Diana a ring? ›
He really did purchase a ring, though its purpose is disputed. And “The Crown” changed one key detail about the ring that makes it almost impossible for anything like the hotel scene to have happened in real life.
Did Diana actually love Dodi? ›
“There was a falling in love of some kind.” “There was also a real sense of someone who's going to listen to you — and that, to me, felt absolutely crucial for the character at that point in her life,” Debicki notes regarding the nature of Diana and Dodi's relationship. “That sense of support and being seen was key.
What is Princess Diana most remembered for? ›
Part of her charm was due to the fact that she genuinely cared for those around her; she was a committed philanthropist who gave herself wholeheartedly to the many causes she held close to her heart. Diana, Princess of Wales was also a trailblazer, unwilling to be held back by convention or tradition.
What was Princess Diana's impact on the world? ›
Princess Diana is known for her breakthrough work with HIV awareness. Princess Diana's life was full of charity work. Still, her most important work may have been her championing of gay rights and the destigmatization of HIV/AIDs. Princess Diana opened the first HIV/AIDs unit in the UK at London's Middlesex Hospital.
What were important events in Princess Diana's life? ›
10 key dates in Princess Diana's life
- – July 1, 1961: Diana Frances Spencer is born in Sandringham in the east of England.
- – July 29, 1981: Marries heir to the British throne Prince Charles.
- – June 21, 1982: Gives birth to William, second-in-line to the throne.
- – September 15, 1984: Her second son, Harry, is born.
Her architectural achievements, which were noted for their emphasis on sustainability, include designs for the Langston Hughes Library (1999), a converted barn in Clinton, Tennessee; the Museum of Chinese in America (2009) in New York City; and the Neilson Library (2021) at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.
