Princess Diana Research Paper

Princess Diana of Wales was killed in a car accident in Paris, France in 1997. She was divorced from England’s Prince Charles and a mother to Princes William and Harry. In her life, she was known for her philanthropy and her marriage with the Prince. The accident was known around the world and many newspapers and news programs wrote articles about the late Princess’s death. The Queen of England and Princess Diana’s brother Lord Spencer spoke about the Princess in a televised speech and her eulogy at the funeral service.

During that time, Diana's brother, gave a eulogy speech. Similar to the Queens speech, the eulogy also contains pathos throughout his speech. He described Diana as “The very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty.” (Earl Spencer’s Eulogy To Diana) The eulogy clearly described that her title of royalty didn't make her who she was, and that her “magic” will continue on forever. Although, unlike the Queens speech, logos are found throughout the eulogy. Light is shed on all that Diana is, both the good and bad. He used factual evidence such as “Diana remained throughout a very insecure person at heart, almost childlike in her desire to do good for others so she could release herself from deep feelings of unworthiness, of which her eating disorders were merely a symptom.” (Earl Spencer’s Eulogy To Diana) He wanted the public to know that although Diana was an amazing person, she to had problems just like any other average

Princess Diana is considered to be the most favored member of the Royal Family in the history of the British Monarchy (biography.com editors 1). She is the former wife of Prince Charles, and the mother of Princes William and Harry. Her charitable work with impoverished children has formed her reputation as a role model for the people of Britain and much of the world. Much of Diana’s life has been devoted to traveling the world to help others. Her work in Africa with the children injured by landmines brought her into the global spotlight (Wexford 3). Princess Diana was more than just a public figure and royal, she was a loving person who brought light to social issues and cared for those who are destitute.

Princess Diana reported that her prime motivation was to try and help the most vulnerable people in society. She stated to the BBC’s Martin Bashir “It is a goal and an essential part of my life, a kind of destiny.”(Bulman,2017) Diana was influenced by a need to serve others,as she had the drive to make people feel loved and cared for. She believed that the best way to help someone heal was by offering them affection and kind words. Diana utilized herself as a public figure to distribute her charity works to increase global awareness for the greater good.

On August 31st 1997, two families bridged together through matrimony were suddenly broken by the death of Princess Diana. These two bloodlines, one of royalty and one of aristocracy, were forced to face the commonwealth with sadness; Speeches by The Queen and Diana’s brother, The Earl, were necessary. As multiple populations were grieving and reminiscing over the loss of such a popular public patron, many were growing irritable and suspicious of the tragic car accident and the lack of communication from The Queen. With pressures rising, the funeral approaching, and individuals still looking for someone to blame, Queen Elizabeth and Earl Spencer each delivered their own speech regarding the recent events. Despite the common topics and audience, it is evident how both speeches varied, especially concerning exigence, the use of rhetorical devices, and overall effectiveness

Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 in Sandringham, United Kingdom to the eighth Earl of Spencer, Edward John Spencer, and Frances Spencer. Diana had four other siblings; Elizabeth, Cynthia, John, and Charles. In 1967, Frances Spencer left Edward for Peter Shand-Kydd. Frances and Edward divorced in 1969. The children stayed with Edward and, in 1976, Edward married Raine, Countess of Dartmouth. After the death of Diana’s grandfather, the seventh Earl of Spencer, the family moved to the Althorp house in Northamptonshire.1

“She talked endlessly of getting away from England, mainly because of the treatment that she received at the hands of the newspapers. I don't think she ever understood why her genuinely good intentions were sneered at by the media, why there appeared to be a permanent quest on their behalf to bring her down. It is baffling.” Here he shows how the papers tainted Diana with lie and remarks on her good intentions. "My own and only explanation is that genuine goodness is threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum. It is a point to remember that of all the ironies about Diana, perhaps the greatest was this - a girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age.” He shows the anguish Diana felt at the hand of the media and demonstrates that the unethical press is the only one who had a disdain for

When Diana was nine years old her parents were divorced, and her father won custody of the children. Princess Diana was homeschooled for the first few years of her life, and when she reached the age of nine she was enrolled into Riddlesworth Hall, an all girls boarding school. When Diana was twelve, she moved to West Heath Girls’ School where her sisters attended, and later failed her exams and did not graduate with what we call a diploma. Diana did not return to school, instead she began forming her own charities and started working with other charities. Some of the charities that she was involved in include: “the homeless and starving, the children with AIDS, the battered women, and the destitute, and she worked towards banning landmines in places of war” (Gitlin, Martin). Princess Diana was associated with over a hundred different charities in her lifetime.

Born on May 24th, 1819, Queen Victoria was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent and King George III’s fourth son, and Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Saalfeld, Princess of Leiningen. Although King George III fathered fifteen children, his eight daughters lived either childless or unwed; out of his seven sons, three married and only one spawned a child, Princess Charlotte. Because of Princess Charlotte’s fatality during childbirth, Victoria was born so an heir was animate. At the age of eight months, Queen Victoria’s father and grandfather passed away; therefore, her mother and chief steward of the house raised her and devised the Kensington System to shelter, monitor, and protect her. Upon the day of June 20th, when Victoria the age of eighteen, the childless King William IV passed away, coronating Victoria as the monarch.

Thesis: Princess Diana was a very kind hearted woman, noble by blood, famous by marriage, but used her public light in a positive way.

I believe that Carl Roger’s approach best explains Princess Diana’s behaviors and achievements. According to About.com: Psychology, Carl Rogers, a humanist psychologist, believed that all people have an actualizing tendency-a drive to fulfill individual potential that motivates behavior. Rogers called healthy individuals "fully-functioning,” describing these individuals as those who are open to experience, live in the moment, trust their own judgment, feel free, and are creative.

This is juxtaposed with the scene which features the Royal family’s reactions to the news of her death which presents them in a negative light. Her image is reinforced in the Royal families dialogue; Prince Phillip says, "What's she done now?" to which the Queen replies "You know what she's like", both implying their expectation of inappropriate behaviour. This challenges audiences to consider the conflicting perspectives of Diana and question their own memories.

Throughout the years of Princess Diana’s life she showed her capability to overcome hardship, and work through her pain to become someone the world would never forget. Her life began on July 1, 1961, in her quiet hometown of Sandringham, England. Diana learned at an early age how to deal with her rough family life. Her struggles began when her parents divorced when she was a small child, further lessening her relationship with her parents. Her and her four other siblings helped each other through that tough time.

Princess Diana was a very devoted woman, she always saw the good in everyone and always tried to help anyone in need, anyway she could. Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in 1981 and became known as Princess Diana. “Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.” - Princess Diana. As an adored member of the Royal Family, Princess Diana broke barriers of royal protocol, was one of the biggest fashion icons of the world, and will be remembered through her legacy.

     After divorce, Diana retained her title as “Princess of Wales”. She also received twenty-six and a half million dollars and six hundred thousand a year to maintain her position as office staff. She lived in a five-bedroom apartment in Kensington Palace. In addition, after their divorce, Diana and Charles shared joint custody of their sons William and Harry (Kantrowitz 40).