Will fans ever let go of Diana?
The latest conspiracy theories keep her memory alive in a disturbing way,
Diana lives. Sixteen years have passed since a car crash claimed her life, but still the conspiracy theories and sightings, not to mention the communications from beyond the grave, continue to keep the princess alive in the mind of her fans.
The latest twist, by way of an alleged “army source,” would have us believe the military was involved in murdering Diana, Princess of Wales. It is about as plausible as the claim by the actress Naomi Watts on the weekend that she “received permission” from the dead princess to portray her in a forthcoming biopic.
Even beyond the grave, Diana is still blockbuster material. But instead of indulging our fantasies about a beauty hounded by beasts, shouldn’t we finally allow the People’s Princess to rest in peace?
I suspect the reason we can’t let her go is because we feel, somehow, that we let her down. This is especially true for those women who came of age with her.
Unlike the Duchess of Cambridge, so normal and grounded that she makes the rest of us feel like dysfunctional freaks, Diana ticked every box of imperfect womanhood: insecure, needy, jealous, selfcritical, self-harming. That she could be glamorous and warmhearted, too, made for a glorious contradiction — and it was this that thrilled. Women of her generation identified with troubled Diana, she of the disturbed relationship with food and the unhappy adulterous marriage. These problems were as familiar to a 20-something in the ’80s as a 30-something singleton’s broodiness in the ’90s.
The princess struck a chord in her difficulties, but also in her triumphs: When she overcame her shyness, bulimia and bitterness to shine, we thought we could, too.
Rooting for Diana was not only an act of female solidarity; she instinctively seemed to turn to us to cheer her on. Perhaps we felt that way because she had no one else. Her mother was a largely absent figure, her siblings older with families of their own: She could not rely on a formidable Carole Middleton to protect her interests and support her decisions, or a younger sister, like Pippa, as her best friend.
Her loneliness imposed on an alltoo-willing public the role of guardian. But we failed our ward. No one could protect her from a disastrous marriage, unsuitable suitors, celebrity, the paparazzi or herself.
It’s different, happily, for her eldest son. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are releasing the first informal photos with their new baby — apparently taken by a family member. Both the Windsors and the Middletons are investing every effort in ensuring this royal birth is a celebration of the future rather than a chance to mourn the past.
It’s also the case that parenthood can heal childhood traumas such as a mother’s premature death, or parental strife. I suspect, and fervently hope, that this will be true for Prince William. He will be captivated by his little boy; but he may also find in the rush of paternal love the ultimate consolation for his own loss as a teenager.
The intervening years have blurred Diana’s image. Crackpot conspiracies and clumsy biopics help loosen the bond even her most ardent fans felt with her. Investing a great deal of sentiment in the genuine article was one thing, but these facsimiles prompt ridicule rather than tenderness.
Maybe this latest batch of plots is to be welcomed, after all: They will finally succeed in laying the ghost.