Modern history
How Diana helped open our doors to the British Royals
Princess Diana has been dead 20 years in August. In advance of the commemoration, Lorna Hogg traces the Princess’s lasting legacy and how she helped to change attitudes towards British Royalty in this country Twenty years ago, on August 31st 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales died in car crash in Paris. It’s said that those whom the gods love die young. Diana was just 36 when she died; ‘The People’s Princess,’ loved by millions worldwide. They admired her style, beauty and her charitable work, which ranged from supporting those facing serious challenges such as AIDS and terminal illness, to working against land mines. All exemplify the style, interests and concerns of the Princess, and reflect the fact that Diana changed not just the role of Princess, but what we expect from royalty.
The Princess also was close to Leitrim-born Oonagh Shanley Toffolo, her acupuncturist, and some claim, spiritual guide, in the period after her divorce, when she used alternative therapies to develop a new life for herself. Toffolo also introduced Diana to Hasnat Khan, with whom she became close after her marriage. One of the princess’s closest advisers, Patrick Jephson, was born and attended school in Ireland, before studying at Cambridge and a career with the Royal Navy. He was her Private Secretary from 1988 – 1996, travelling the world with her and arranging her engagements and charity
She had a powerful and lasting effect the British monarchy, in her lifetime, her legacy and through her sons. Future historians may debate her influence in changing the attitudes and perceptions of Irish people towards the British monarchy. Those changes may well have in turn helped towards the success of the Queen’s landmark visit to Ireland in 2012, and also the recent successful royal visits by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall across the island. The Princess had personal Irish contacts. She was born with maternal connections through her wealthy and powerful Burke Roche family. She also forged more personal Irish links, from fashion to therapy and her personal staff. One of her favourite ‘go-to’ designers was Paul Costelloe,who designed for her throughout her royal life, including her ‘new look’ as an independent woman. From a sunny beach dress for Bondi beach on an Australian tour in 1988, to a 1991 rain soaked Pavarotti concert in Hyde Park, Costelloe’s designs matched the mood and provided some iconic pictures. 45 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie
Diana is recognised as playing a significant role in reducing the public stigma surrounding AIDS in the 1980s and 90s. Here she shakes the hand of a AIDS sufferer in a Toronto hospice.
