Born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, Princess Diana in her short life, earned for herself an enduring popularity for her glamor and activism. She died young, 31 years of age on August 31, 1997 in a tragic car crash.
However, the world hasn’t stopped talking about ‘the people’s princess’ since. Her unconventional approach to charity work revolved initially around children and the elderly. She later became passionately involved in changing social attitudes towards the acceptance of AIDS patients, help for those ailing from cancer and mental illness, and the removal of landmines.
She was way ahead of her time in more ways than one. This post is about how she was a true feminist who changed the world in a lot of ways before it became a trend.
Why true feminists continue to look up to Princess Diana even today
Here are some reasons why Princess Diana continues to inspire all of us today:
1. Staying true to yourself (no matter how hard it gets)
Diana owned up her mental illness, bulimia and failing marriage in times when people would keep these matters under wraps.
Princess Diana addressed the elephant(s) in the room publicly for all to know that the first step towards getting well is admitting to what ails you. She showed the world how simple life can be made if we get the strength to be who we are and not how we are meant to be in people’s notions of us.
2. Dealing with patriarchy (subtly, but strongly)
Though some consider Diana didn’t do anything revolutionary, the way she dealt with issues concerning herself despite her royal bearings, showed her to the world as just another vulnerable human dealing with life and its curved balls.
She stepped out to shake hands with lepers and AIDS patients to let the world know that they deserved love and not being ostracized by society. She went after her heart’s calling and many times was found conducting herself in ways different from those the world identifies with as royal conduct. Often she was found doing things of charity outside the strict boundaries of the royal family she was part of.
In her small ways, she made herself into a woman who let nothing come between what she set her heart on.
3. Balancing two opposite worlds (and wants)
Diana admitted to wanting a good life that gave her extravagant holidays, designer clothes, gowns and tiaras. She just as much went out of her way to help the needy and the homeless, held hands with the ill who the world shrunk from, and spoke of women rights and worked for the downtrodden of her kind.
Princess Diana was a bag of contradictions that she happily admitted to but she did it all with panache. She is the perfect example of how women can have the best of all worlds once they’ve decided on their objectives in life. Also, the kind of woman who doesn’t shy away from the good things in life lest people judge them.
4. Leading by example (no matter how imperfect)
Princess Diana did a splendid job of raising her two boys – Prince William and Prince Harry. The two men came out to talk about their mother candidly. They associate themselves with charities much like their mother who’d take them along to expose them to the plight of the less fortunate.
They have been seen to speak of their relationships, mental issues or parenthood without filters. Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton and how the couple has stood their ground with regard to how they wish to live their lives and raise their two children is like a replay of how Diana chose to live her life while she lived.
5. Breaking royal norms (but respectfully)
She brought a new sense of authenticity and vulnerability to the monarchy, showing that even those in power could be relatable and compassionate. By breaking royal protocols and speaking openly about her struggles – whether through her personal battles with mental health or her experiences in marriage – Diana normalized vulnerability and strength for women. She showed that speaking out about one’s personal challenges could inspire others to do the same.
Her transparency helped reduce the stigma surrounding issues like eating disorders and mental health struggles, paving the way for broader conversations about the pressures women face. Her fluctuating sizes from petite to thin to sometimes very thin were never covered up with right photo angles or clever dressing. She always spoke about how she was feeling, and at all times when she hit her personal lows.
6. Highlighting domestic violence (even when it’s mental)
When Diana openly spoke of problems in her marriage and the pain she was going through, she became the voice of countless women trapped in similar situations. The angst of dealing with infidelity and emotional neglect, her story resonated with women who felt trapped in their own relationships.
Her coming out to make choices that kept her in a safe place, mentally and physically helped create more awareness about domestic violence and the need for women to stand up for themselves.
Her candid discussions about the pressures women face in both their personal and public lives helped break down the traditional silence surrounding domestic issues and empowered many women to take control of their own narratives.
7. Revolutionizing women’s fashion (you do ‘you’)
Her iconic “revenge dress” sent a message of confidence and self-assertion after the end of her marriage to Prince Charles, reminding women that their worth isn’t defined by others’ perceptions or actions.
She used fashion as a form of self-expression, moving away from the rigid and formal dress codes of the royal family. She showed women how they could embrace their own style, confidence, and freedom than live under the cloud of societal pressures.
Diana never meant to be seen as an activist. It’s just the struggle she’d to go through to make and stay with her choices right down to her clothes that turned her into one subtle but profound influence on women who look up to her as an ideal
Princess Diana’s fashion choices were often bold, breaking away from conservative expectations, and she wore clothes that reflected her individuality. In doing so, she showed women that they could embrace their own style, confidence, and freedom, regardless of societal pressures.
8. Promoting and humanizing women in leadership (and acing it)
Diana blurred the lines between royalty and the common people. This form of compassionate leadership empowered people to see themselves as leaders in their own communities. She actively engaged with people at all levels.
She would sit on the ground with children in hospitals, walk through minefields in Angola, and speak directly with mothers in developing countries to understand their problems better.
For her it wasn’t just about making appearances at charities. It was about using the entitlements she was bestowed with for service. She is the epitome of kindness, empathy, and humanity that continues to inspire generations of women after her to step out and step up their leadership game.
Conclusion
“Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves,” said Diana.
In saying so she shaped through her own example how vulnerabilities and weaknesses can be turned into strength with courage and honesty to admit to them in the first place.
No wonder the world still lives in awe of this woman and no wonder than that it chooses to scrutinize her life every now and then to find in it yet another reason to feel how formidable a person she was.
On that note, stay with us to read more such posts!
