Can It Really Be Eleven Years?

It was hard enough last year to believe it had been a decade since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a car accident in Paris on a hot, sticky August 1997 night. Last year we had a spectacular concert and moving memorial service to mark her 46th birthday and ten years since her death. Now, we are coming up to the eleventh anniversary of her death, and yet, strangely, somehow it only seems like yesterday.

Today, in Britain the weather is very similar to how it was the day before Diana died. And, the 31st will fall on a Sunday, the same day Diana died. It is amazing how much life changes in eleven years. How different, for instance, the monarchy is since Diana left us. So it's so hard not to think about to this time eleven years ago. And it's very sad to do so.

Quite often I wonder what we have missed out on in eleven years. What photographs we have missed, what video footage we will never see. What clothes would Diana have worn, what paths would she have taken in both her private and public life. What sort of mother would she be to two boy who have now grown into men and who are on the cusp of starting their own families and married life. How would Diana of aged physically, would she of had surgery? We'll sadly never know the answers to these questions.

What with the passing of years and the easing of grief, I fear, that though Diana will never be forgotten, her death is slowly year by year going unrecognised. Last year, being the first decade since her death was different, but it seems to be the rule and not the exception now that it barely gets a mention, outside the world of Diana fans.

Personally, I think about her death on the anniversary every year without fail. But then I think of Diana a lot on the whole. But aside from people like me, the world seems to have forgotten what happened on 31st August 1997. It's very saddening for me, but then that is life. Things move on, and they, unlike Dodi Fayed's Park Lane apartment, they also change. The world doesn't stop still when someone like Diana dies. It continues.

I would like to think that in the past eleven years, if she had survived that she would win the battles that seemed to drive her personal life. Maybe she'd of remarried, settling down with someone who really loved, cherished and protected her.

I would also like to think that she would of remained at the top of her 'profession', that being her work in the charitable field. I cannot of seen Diana being a lady who lunched. She tried that for a short while in the early 1990's and it neither made her happy or fulfilled her. I think Diana really realised that having nothing to do wasn't a option for her, as she was, friend's say, a ball of energy.

As a mother, I imagine her to be fair to her sons. She would, I feel, of allowed them to be themselves. 'Boys will be boys' she would often say to friends in reference to her sons. But, at the same time, she would of reigned them in also, showing them that yes, have fun, but they also have a serious role and a duty to serve their country.

It has been claimed in the year after their divorce, the relationship between Charles and Diana was not just cordial but friendly. Charles still sent her birthday gifts, and would often drop in to see Diana at Kensington Palace, still commenting on her nice long legs. On her desk, ready to be opened on her return to London, was a letter from Charles discussing their youngest son, Prince Harry who was struggling at school with his work. I think their friendship would of developed, not into love, but a working relationship. Diana, though, still held a torch for Charles, delighting even after their divorce, when he wore a particular sweater that she had brought for him. Maybe, they both would of mature and became two fantastic parents to two fantastic boys.

The Diana of 2008 would be a vastly different Diana to the one in 1997. But, even at the point of her death, she was maturing, morphing into a completely different woman. I feel she would of still been self absorbed, it was a characteristic of hers, but I don't think if she were alive today, she'd still be quite so at odds with herself. It is nice to think that the lessons she had learnt through life would of taught her more about herself. She was growing up, experiencing the world behind the guilt Palace gates. And it was changing her for the better, giving her a wider perspective on things.

How Diana would of reacted to the remarriage of Prince Charles to long term love Camilla Parker-Bowles would be a touchy subject as I truly believe Diana never really loved anyone else but Charles. I believe a lot of her public dating and romances were aimed at making him jealous. I think she would of been desperately hurt to see him remarry as she never really got over him at all. But, this subject is any one's guess and I'm sure many would disagree with me.

Diana would always continue to be seen as royal and I think she'd never really loose the title of Princess, even if she had remarried. She was Britain's Princess who was loved around the world. And she continues to be loved.

Many write now not gushing sentimental words, but words of criticism. Many journalists feel it's now 'safe' to tarnish the memory of Diana. Yes, she was not perfect, we know that, but it's quite astounding the rubbish that is printed about her. Paul Burrell her once loyal rock has hinted that he slept with her. People she considered friends such as guitarist Eric Clapton and George Michael both claim she wanted to be their lovers. Ten years ago this type of reporting would of not happened, and if stories had worked their way into print, would of been panned by the very papers they were published in. But, sadly, as Diana is no longer here to defend herself, it seems anything goes.


Diana herself said in her now famous Panorama interview that she wanted to be '......Queen of people's hearts'. On the day of her death the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair said she 'was the People's Princess and will always remain so'. To me, as one person, she always will be H.R.H The Princess Of Wales, the Queen of People's Hearts and The People's Princess.

She was Britain's princess, and she was my Princess. And nothing will ever change that.

Fascinating Exhibition At Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, former home of Diana, Princess of Wales and Princess Margaret has on display a fascinating exhibition called 'The Last Debutantes'. It's all about the final debutante season in 1958, and in the exhibition you'll see evening dresses made in Paris, gloves, shoes, handbags and even corsets and suspenders! Also on display there are day dresses that the deb's used to wear when meeting HM The Queen, and their invites to the races and Buckingham Palace garden Parties.

Included in your ticket price is the opportunity to see several dresses once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, including the famous gown she wore to the White House during the Wales 1985 tour to America in which she famously danced with Saturday Night Fever star, John Travolta. Also, you will get a tour of the State Apartments and free use of an electronic guide so you can learn all about each individual room.

You can also visit the wonderful gift shop and the Orangery, where you are served delicious refreshments such as cream cakes, sandwiches, salads and of course British tea!

The Last Debutantes exhibition runs to 14 June 2009. The Palace, gift shop and Orangery is open 10am to 6pm from March 1st to October 31st and November 1st to February 28th 10am to 7pm. The Palace is closed December 24th to December 26th (inclusive).

Entrance to the gift shop and Orangery is free so if you don't want to pay to get into the exhibition you can still visit the shop and Orangery.

Entry Prices are:

Adult £12.30
Children Under 16 £6.15
Concessions £10.75
Family Ticket £34.00

Paul Burrell 'I Slept With Diana'

Paul Burrell = vile, disgusting, pig of a liar.

Not wasting anymore energy on him.

Diana Didn't Trust The Right People Says Elton John

In an interview for music channel, VH1, Elton John claimed Diana didn't 'trust the right people' and was 'airy fairy' with her real friends towards the end of her life.

The musician, who is magically put next to friends Princess Diana and John Lennon for his in depth and candid interview on VH1 is seen visibly upset when watching himself perform Candle In The Wind at the Princess's funeral in Westminster Abbey on the 6th September 1997.

His observations that the Princess trusted the wrong people, I feel, are entirely correct. Apart from two loyal and trusted friend's, Rosa Monckton and Lucia Flecha De Lima towards the end of her life, Diana seemed to ditch the friends she had known for her entire life, or her time as Princess of Wales for celebrity friends, such as Micheal Barrymore and George Michael

It's interesting to note that friends such as Rosa and Lucia have not sold out. Yet people like Michael Barrymore have talked about his friendship with Diana, George Michael has claimed Diana wanted to sleep with him and Bryan Adams have also hinted they were lovers and that he wrote about her in a song.

That said though, even Diana's 'normal' friends have sold out on the Princess, the two worse offenders in my mind being Paul Burrell and Simone Simmons. Ms Simmons who wrote two tomes on Diana was proven to be a liar by James Whittaker on UK daytime TV show, 'This Morning' and Paul Burrell also has been proved a liar when he admitted in a candid video that he had lied and laid down 'red herrings' while being questioned at the Diana inquiry this year.

So although I agree with Elton John that Diana trusted the wrong people, I also think it was hard for her to know who to trust and her distrust of certain people proved right. She must of felt at times as though she was stuck in a maze not knowing the right way to get out of circumstances.

Everyone from Diana's beautician to dress designers, from hairdressers to holistic healers have had something to say about Diana, 99% of it I suspect as not true as all these people have put themselves in a position where Diana's life would of been empty and worthless without them. It's funny though, how none of these people dared speak out while Diana was still alive , I suspect in case they worried about falling out of favour with Diana. Most of them waited till after Diana had died to sell their stories, be it on television or in print.

So, for once, I agree with Elton John. He words are very true.

Queen 'Baffled' As To Why Kate Middleton Doesn't Work

Although she does not speak publicly about her feelings and opinions it was reported earlier this week that HM The Queen has privately admitted that she is 'baffled' as to why Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton does not work.

After a short spell working for Topshop (her parents friendship with those high up in Topshop circles is rumoured to be down to her working there) Kate has now announced she wants to be a photographer and is training to become one. However, the Queen is said to be 'baffled' because Kate, who is now in her mid twenties has yet to have a 'proper job'.

Indeed Ms Middleton has come under attack because of her lack of employment history. Many feel that if she does marry Prince William, and along with that will bring the title Princess Of Wales and later on Queen of England, she will be expected to take on a hefty share of Royal engagements and many doubt she will be committed to doing that.

If Ms Middleton was still in her early twenties I think it would be passable that she is trying to find her feet and find out what she wants to do with her life. However she is now approaching her mid twenties, and her lack of any real job is rather worrying.

The previous owner of the title Princess of Wales, Diana, worked in several jobs before at the age of nineteen she became engaged to the Prince of Wales. And in her royal life took on hundreds of engagements a year.

It's very rare that HM The Queen makes comments such as this. It means their is some concern about Kate and her abilities to work hard. And I feel if she doesn't get a job shortly she'll loose some of that popularity she has.

Why Do Non-Royals Get Blamed When Bad P.R Comes Around

The row over the wrongs and rights of the Phillips selling their wedding to Hello! magazine continues. But one interesting factor out of all the negative press is that Autumn's name, and Autumns alone is mentioned in connection with 'blame.'

As soon as the wedding had happened, and the discovery that selling out was not the best option Buckingham Palace Press Officers were already on the defensive implying that it was Autumn who was to blame. But surely Peter must of also agreed the sale, he appeared in the pictures too, so surely he should take the blame, or at least, his share of it.

Going back to 1990, when the Duke and Duchess of York invited Hello! into their new home at Sunninghill ( it was done to fund the completion of the house which went way over budget) it was the Duchess who was blamed for being 'vulgar, vulgar, vulgar' and cheapening the Royal family by selling off intimate moments to a run of the mill society magazine. But Prince Andrew had agreed to it also and himself appeared in many of the pictures.

The notion of laying the blame of the 'non royal' of the couple is unfair particularly when the decision is a joint one which benefits both members of the couple.

Since her death, I've noticed a change in the tide of public opinion opinion of Diana. In the immediate years after her death she was elevated to nearly saintly status, but nowadays authors and scholars are happy to lay the blame of the failed marriage, not wholly at Diana's doorstep, but more so then they would of fifteen years ago.

It almost appears that to Royal advisers and press officers, royalty can do no wrong. They cannot make a bad decision, they cannot take blame for any decisions that were made and went wrong. They are totally and utterly blameless.

So how must that feel for the woman being blamed? Autumn must be shattered by all of the negative press and I'm sure it's marred her honeymoon. But it must cut all the deeper when she reads that people who advise her husbands family are putting responsibility for the entire furore squarely on her shoulders. If Peter is the man he seems to be he should publicly step up and take half the blame and insist it was not all his new wife's fault. It was a dreadful decision which I'm sure will hang over Autumns AND Peter's head for many years to come. It has taken what was a private event and ruined it. And as reported yesterday has put some of Peter's close relationship with his Wales cousins under considerable strain.

If Peter and Autumn could of looked into the future and saw the fuss made over the Hello! deal I'm sure they would of settled for a less lavish wedding. Or maybe, to avoid this kind of thing it may persuade HM to open up her purse and pay, or at least contribute, to the weddings of her immediate grandchildren.

In 1987, while touring Canada Sarah and Andrew, the then Duke and Duchess of York celebrated their first wedding anniversary at a banquet. The Duke, who highly rates his own sense of humour (while seemingly lacking one!) made several heavy handed jokes about his fairly new wife during a speech. Of course this was laughed off as a comedic moment. When it was his wives turn she too joked with a member of the audience, saying she'd 'see him later' after he wolf whistled her. This was considered to be vulgar and out of place.

It does seem to be one rule for the royal and one rule for the commoner.

It will be interesting to see if Peter does defend his wife publicly. He should to because when I brought my copy of Hello! it wasn't solely the bride I saw in the photographs.

Paul Burrell: What a let down.

It seems that for Mr Burrell admitting that he committed perjury during the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and her companion, Dodi Fayed wasn't enough. Now it has been revealed that the Princess's butler removed a blood splattered ring from her finger while she was laying in the morgue and handed it to a neighbour of his in Cheshire.

The Daily Mail today reported that Burrell planned to take the ring, other items of jewelry and documentation and dump it over board on a cruise, so sensitive was the ring (which Burrell claimed he believed to be a engagement ring) and the other items.

Now, he has also admitted that the Princess's neck was 'grotesquely twisted' when he visited Diana's body after her death in Paris.

What happened to this man that has turned him from tight lipped 'rock' to someone who proved himself on video tape to be a liar? To add insult to injury he seems to take glee in the fact that he has deliberately mislead the jury who are sitting in on the inquest and taunted them with 'red herrings' knowing that those red herrings would take away the spotlight from him.

Mr Burrell's character has always been, for me anyway, in doubt. During a homosexual relationship he was conducting in 1981 he wrote letters to his lover in May describing Lady Diana's wedding dress in great detail (even though the designers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel were spending a small fortune in security to keep the design secret). Rumour has it that even while he was still in Diana's employ he was leaking information about her life, particularly in the days after the Wales separation. In the late 1990's he made a fortune speaking about Royal life on cruises, he wrote 'A Royal Duty' in the early 2000's, and then followed it up with the second book 'The Way We Were' in 2006. He has also penned books about entertaining in style, creating flower arrangements and has appeared in series on TV such as American Princess and Australian Princess, with all the things he does he names Diana, although he calls her 'The Princess'.

I feel this man is a shame to Britain and now he has been caught admitting to lying in court I believe he should be made to return to Britain and answer questions. I also feel that no matter what he writes (and yes, I believe a third book could be in the pipeline) people will not believe a word he says.

I hope that Mr Burrell will one day find happiness in his life and that he can quit his obsession with Diana. If he wants to drag his name into the mud then he is free to do so. However, I hope he stops doing the same to Diana who cannot answer back.