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Princess Diana's Effect on the United Kingdom and the Monarchy

Good Essays

Born on July 1, 1961, Diana Spencer had no clue of the life she would someday live. Diana grew up as the daughter of the Viscount and Viscountess of Althorp. However, they divorced 8 years after Diana’s birth. Diana lived with her father and attended preparatory school in Norfolk. She then went on to attend West Heath Girls’ School in Kent, where she failed her O-level exams. She dropped out of West Heath and her father sent her to a finishing school in Switzerland. Before she left England for school, she met Prince Charles through mutual friends. Once she returned home from Switzerland, she and her family visited Prince Charles and his family at the castle in Scotland. This started their “royal romance.” Their wedding in 1981 was one for …show more content…

At the time, most American didn’t take much notice of the monarchy, but for Diana they did. Other women saw her as an inspiration because of how she went through things normal women went through, like her divorce. Even her death affected people across the world because of their strong connection to her. Pati Nies said, “I was in Las Vegas when her death was announced and I felt as sad and touched as I did the day President John Kennedy’s death was announced. Her drive and causes were an inspiration to me.” Suicide rates went up 44% in the first week after Diana’s death. Some people admitted that they had been in mourning longer for Diana than their own parents. Diana’s influence is still visible in the way the remaining members of the royal family now conduct themselves. Most obvious are during the Paralympics, Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the London 2012 Summer Olympics. These events are less formal. Also the monarchy is now seen to be more approachable than before Diana came along. I believe this is due to the level of intimacy the public had with Diana and after her death they felt they had the job of watching out for her sons. This made them not look as William and Harry as princes in line for the throne, but more as little boys that lost their mom. Sadly, one way Diana did not influence the United Kingdom is how the paparazzi act. Her death may have been caused by their desperate need to get her picture but today their ruthlessness is

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