It’s been more than 25 years since 2.5 billion people tuned in to watch the funeral procession of the iconic Princess Diana. Thousands of mourners crowded outside Westminster Abbey Church, filling the streets with sobs and screams. Others packed themselves at the gates of Diana’s former home Kensington Palace, leaving over 60 million flowers. Queen Elizabeth II, who was known for her impeccable maintenance of royal protocol, shocked everyone by breaking the rules and bowing her head as Diana’s casket paraded past. It was a day of grief not only for England but for every country across the world whose citizens were touched by the grace of Diana. The former Princess of Wales may have only been 36 years old at the time of her death, but she left behind an incredible legacy that is still thriving to this day.

Diana was a pioneer in fashion, humanities, and an overall breath of fresh air for the Royal Family. She was thrust into royal life at only 20 years old and was quick to show the world a glimpse of her rebellious and groundbreaking tendencies. During her first charity outing with the now King Charles III, “England’s Rose” dismissed the royal dress code and wore a low-cut black dress designed by David Emmanuel. This is arguably the exact moment she announced herself as a fashion icon to the world while simultaneously breaking barriers. A few months later, during her wedding to Charles, she broke royal tradition by omitting the words “obey” from her vows. This simple action was a powerful move and sent a clear message: Diana was not afraid to bring a modern twist to one of the most famous families in the world. As the Princess navigated through the transition from mundane to royal life, her popularity began to skyrocket among global citizens and media alike, earning her the titles of “Most Photographed Woman in the World” and “The People’s Princess.”

Despite her new status, Diana’s sweet and welcoming personality remained incorrupt. She became a mother at only 21 years old, welcoming the current heir to the throne, Prince William. Two years later, Prince Harry was born. The Princess unsurprisingly continued to break barriers as a royal mother, with her children being the first royals to go through a public school system. Diana attempted to give William and Harry a normal childhood by bringing them to McDonald’s or amusement parks where she refused to let them skip the line. Lady Diana was also the first royal to get eye level with a child when speaking to them and was known to hug or pick up any children she met on charity endeavors. Thus, another iconic yet poignant moment was born in 1989 after Diana hugged a child with AIDS, destroying the stigma that the disease was spread through touch. Her caring and down-to-earth personality showcased through charity and her daily life launched her into stardom status among the global public. 

However, opinion of Diana began to sway within Britain. In 1995, the Princess gave a controversial “tell-all” interview with Martin Bashir, following her divorce from Charles due to his longstanding affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. She exposed the truth behind her marriage, claiming that Charles’s infidelity caused her to develop an eating disorder and self-harm tactics. Diana also claimed that Charles leaked a private phone call in which she complained about him to a friend and insisted that her ex-husband’s staff was conspiring against her. Her statements angered citizens who were loyal to the British monarchy, and many believed that Diana was lying about her traumatic experiences. But for the majority of citizens, Diana’s honesty only proved her to be a genuine and authentic person. 

“Diana was a woman for the people around the world due to her warmth, charisma, and personal struggles,” said Brooke N. Newman, Associate Professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University. Diana’s memory is still cherished to this day 25 years after her tragic death, and it’s no surprise why. She was truly an icon and changed the course of the Royal Family, royal fashion, and what it truly means to be a giving person.