As The Crown reigns over the Emmys with six nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and an Outstanding Supporting Actress nod for Elizabeth Debicki’s portrayal of Princess Diana, the real-life conclusion of the People’s Princess’s story remains an enigma—a haunting tale stranger than fiction.
The gripping depiction of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s tumultuous marriage, culminating in a divorce quietly insisted upon by Queen Elizabeth II, unfolds in The Crown’s fifth season.
The opulent Netflix series delves into the intricacies of Diana’s life during the 1990s, capturing the essence of her spirit through the remarkable performance of Elizabeth Debicki, who recently clinched a Golden Globe for her role.
In reality, as Diana grappled with the aftermath of her marriage’s breakdown, the world appeared to be her oyster.
Despite feeling discarded by her in-laws, she retained a residence at Kensington Palace, the title Princess of Wales, a substantial $21 million settlement, and, most importantly, her beloved sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Reflecting on her newfound freedom, Diana declared, “I have learned much over the last years. From now on, I am going to own myself and be true to myself. I no longer want to live someone else’s idea of what and who I should be. I am going to be me.”
However, The Crown’s sixth and final season leaves no room for ambiguity about where the narrative is headed—towards the tragic end of Diana’s life.
The concluding moments of season six’s third episode allude to a violent car crash, foreshadowing the real-life tragedy that unfolded on August 31, 1997.
the amount of times i’ve watched this edit is unhealthy 😭 #thecrown pic.twitter.com/MXLn9DWg6S
— mari (@miobsesionario) January 6, 2024In her final months, Princess Diana was a beacon of joy and romance, contemplating her future and leaving the world speculating about her next moves and potential suitors.
Post-divorce, Diana envisioned leveraging her extensive knowledge of people and communication for humanitarian endeavors.
Recognized as the Humanitarian of the Year by the charity United Cerebral Palsy in December 1996, she continued her philanthropic efforts, walking through a minefield in Angola to raise awareness about landmine devastation.
Diana harbored aspirations of an unofficial ambassadorship, engaging with world leaders such as British Prime Minister Tony Blair to explore collaborative outreach initiatives. Her global impact extended to fundraising in Pakistan, meeting dignitaries, and attending events in the United States.
As the July 1997 Vanity Fair cover story titled “Diana Reborn” symbolized a fresh start, designers like Gianni Versace noted her newfound serenity. The world admired the Princess’s resilience and her commitment to living life on her terms.
However, the narrative took a romantic turn with the introduction of Dodi Fayed, son of Egyptian business magnate Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Diana’s summer escapade with Dodi was characterized by private getaways, Mediterranean cruises, and public outings—a blissful interlude punctuated by speculation about their engagement.
The media scrutinized the couple, labeling Dodi as a “haphazard playboy.” Diana and Dodi reconciled in spite of the circulating rumors and their brief split, which resulted in a Mediterranean cruise and the purchase of a $200,000 diamond ring.
Photographs captured the couple’s final moments together, preserving their story in a way that would live on in history.
Everyone was speculating about their engagement when the tragic events of August 31, 1997, occurred. Henri Paul, the driver, and Dodi Fayed were killed in the car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel.
Diana was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries. It took three hours for the world to learn of her passing.
The moment when Diana interrupts Dodi’s attempt to pop the question is poignantly depicted in The Crown, which captures the ambiguity surrounding his proposal.
A moving aspect of The Crown’s portrayal is the heartbreaking uncertainty of their future, the words that remain unsaid, and the tenderness that they share.
Diana’s legacy became more complicated in the aftermath as doubts continued to exist regarding the engagement.
The tragedy left the world mourning the loss of an icon, a humanitarian, and a mother. When Prince Charles broke the news of their mother’s passing to William and Harry at Balmoral Castle, the boys’ hearts ached.
As The Crown continues to captivate audiences, the haunting farewell to Princess Diana underscores the profound impact she had on the world and the indelible mark she left on history.
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