The relatable reason why Princess Diana always had her head down in public - Her.ie (2024)

Sounds legit, yeah.

If you were a newly appointed member of the royal family, chances are you’d be a bit overwhelmed.

One day you’re chilling in your gaff telling your roommate about the new lad on the scene who just happens to also be a prince, and the next you’re curtseying, stripping the nail polish off your hands, and desperately struggling to smile as 1,000 paps take your photograph at the latest royal engagement.

Bit of a change, in fairness.

And while the transition period from commoner to royalty might come easy enough for some, for others it wasn’t all that smooth.

Princess Diana was one of those people – so much so that for a while, she felt “terrified” to be attending any events at all.

The relatable reason why Princess Diana always had her head down in public - Her.ie (1)

Often confused for simply sulking, Diana would tend to show up to events with her head down upon arrival, literally just because she was scared.

The princess told writer Andrew Morton in his book Diana: Her True Story – In Her Own Words:

“When I first arrived on the scene I’d always put my head down.

“Now that I interpret it, that did look sulky. I’ve never sulked. I’ve been terrified out of my tiny little mind.”

We would’ve been the same tbh, yeah.

The relatable reason why Princess Diana always had her head down in public - Her.ie (2)

Diana went on to say that a lot of the time, the attention was “too much.”

She said:

“I was just so frightened of the attention I was getting; it took me six years to get comfortable in this skin and now I’m ready to go forward.

“One minute I was nobody, the next minute I was Princess of Wales, mother, media toy, member of this family, you name it, and it was too much for one person at that time.”

We’d be in agreement there, yeah.

The relatable reason why Princess Diana always had her head down in public - Her.ie (2024)

FAQs

How did the public view Diana? ›

Her status as the Royal Princess as well as her beauty and charm (few who met her were not stunned by the warmth of her smile, the sparkle of her eyes, the attention she paid to your words), conveyed an interest in people that the Royal Family seems unable or unwilling to emulate and on this level she set a high ...

What makes Princess Diana so special? ›

Part of her charm was due to the fact that she genuinely cared for those around her; she was a committed philanthropist who gave herself wholeheartedly to the many causes she held close to her heart. Diana, Princess of Wales was also a trailblazer, unwilling to be held back by convention or tradition.

What did Princess Diana do that changed the world? ›

Not only was Princess Diana the Patron of The Leprosy Mission England and Wales, but during her trip to Angola, she raised awareness for leprosy like she did with the HIV/AIDS crisis. During her time there, she sat with the leprosy patients in the hospital, and touched their wounds to raise awareness.

Why did Princess Diana keep her hair short? ›

Her hairstylist, Sam McKnight, suggested cutting off her hair, and to his surprise, she agreed immediately. The sleek and bold hairstyle became a statement of her individuality and marked her growth as a humanitarian. The pixie cut also had a profound impact on fashion, inspiring women worldwide.

Did Charles cry when Diana passed? ›

He claims he only cried when he saw his mother's coffin being lowered into the ground and alluded to the family's stoicism in front of the press. “My body convulsed and my chin fell and I began to sob uncontrollably into my hands,” he wrote.

Did Queen Elizabeth cry when Diana died? ›

In the immediate aftermath of Princess Diana's death, Queen Elizabeth kept silent. This enraged Britons, who felt that she needed to respond to the grief of the nation.

What were Diana's last words? ›

The firefighter on the scene of Princess Diana's accident revealed the last words she spoke before her death in an interview with The Independent. According to the firefighter, Xavier Gourmelon, the Princess of Wales asked: “My God, what has happened?”

Would Diana be queen if she was alive? ›

Like the Presidency of the US, the Crown is never vacant. It wouldn't have mattered even if she was still alive. She would have no say. He would be King, she just would not have been his Queen.

Was Princess Diana shy as a child? ›

As a child, she was shy but developed a love of music and dance, according to Biography.com.

Where is Diana buried? ›

Princess Diana is buried on the grounds of her childhood home. Following her tragic death on Aug. 31, 1997, the royal was laid to rest on a small, secluded, tree-covered island at Althorp Estate known as Oval Lake Grave.

Did Charles and Diana have a daughter? ›

No. She did not. She had two sons, William and Harry, but no daughter was born to her.

Why did Charles marry Diana? ›

“It was a collision between different aspirations and ideas. The royal family wanted Charles to get married because he was 30, and they wanted a particular kind of girl,” Holden tells PEOPLE. “She needed to be young, she needed to be aristocratic, and she needed to be without a past. It was a very pragmatic decision.

How much taller was Diana? ›

Summary. Princess Diana was taller than the average UK woman, standing at 5ft 10in or 1.78 meters. The royal couple, Charles and Diana, were actually the same height, but pictures were strategically posed to make Charles appear taller.

Did Diana have thick hair? ›

Princess's Diana's hair grows lush and thick and blond, all qualities I am prepared to find beautiful; it's bobbed, and I often find a bob fetching.

What is Diana's haircut? ›

Diana always sported a bob, sometimes hitting just past her cheekbones and sometimes slightly longer at the back, but what was always a statement look of Diana's bob was the deep side parting and the volume and layers within her hair," explains McGill.

What is the public opinion of Princess Diana? ›

While Princess Diana's ratings are overwhelmingly positive among all age groups, those aged 50 and above are more likely to take a negative view of her, at 25-26%, compared to 13% of 25-49 year olds and 9% of 18-24 year olds. Those aged 25-49 are the most likely to have a positive opinion of Princess Diana, at 79%.

Do people still love Princess Diana? ›

Decades after her death, Diana is still everywhere, with a new generation being introduced to her through portrayals in TV shows like The Crown, films like Spencer and even a 2021 musical. And during her lifetime, the royal was one of the most photographed women in the world.

How did the Queen view Diana? ›

"She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.

Who was more popular, Diana or Queen Elizabeth? ›

Princess Diana, in her time, was far more popular and more famous then every member of the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II. How did she achieve this? Why was Diana, Princess of Wales so popular all over the world despite her controversies?

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6172

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.