Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana Frances Spencer, Princess of Wales, died on August 31st, aged 36
IT WAS easy to get caught up in the cult of Diana, which became as strong for the Princess of Wales as it was for her mythological Roman namesake. When she was married in 1981 The Economist itself gushed, “God save the next queen.” Now the cult is immeasurably greater than it was 16 years ago. Books await to be written, perhaps are already being written, about how a 19-year-old kindergarten helper became the most famous woman in the world, and was seen at her death to be an icon of her age. But whatever puzzles the writer may encounter, there will be no shortage of material to ponder over.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Diana, Princess of Wales”
Obituary September 6th 1997
From the September 6th 1997 edition
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