Biographer Andrew Morton imagines that Diana would have taken Kate Middleton under her wing if she were still alive, while singer Cheryl Cole praises her for her iconic Vogue covers.
- Jul 2, 2011
AceShowbiz - Had she lived, Princess Diana would have been 50 on Friday, July 1. In honor of her memory on what would have been her 50th birthday, admirers of the late People's Princess gathered outside Kensington Palace in London and left remembrances in the form of cakes, candles, cards and other tributes outside its gates.
Kathy Martin, a childcare worker from Australia, told the Associated Press, "She would've been so popular still. Everyone would have been here to help celebrate. We'll never get to see her grow old." Another visitor said, "Marilyn Monroe was an icon, Grace Kelly was an icon, and Princess Diana was an icon. They all died young. They'll be remembered as princesses - beautiful, radiant, princesses."
Also paying tribute to the late princess was her biographer Andrew Morton. He wrote on Daily Express, "When I ponder where Diana would be now if she was turning 50 today, two other women come to mind; Princess Grace of Monaco and Jackie Onassis. All three eventually left their homelands or social circles to become the independent, international icons of popular imagination."
Andrew also shared his thought on what it would be like for Prince William's new wife Kate Middleton if Diana were still alive. "She would be looking carefully to see if Catherine, whom she would have taken under her wing, was following her advice on how to deal with the big public events," he noted. "Not that Catherine, who has taken to the spotlight as if to the manner born, has needed much quiet coaching."
Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, meanwhile, remembered Diana by commenting on the late Princess' Vogue covers. "In my opinion all of the Vogue covers are amazing but I really love the covers with Princess Diana," the 28-year-old singer told the magazine. "They feel iconic and are definitely special covers."
Lady Diana Spencer became engaged to Prince Charles at the young age of 19. She and the future King of England announced their engagement in February 1981, before tying the knot in St. Pauls Cathedral on July 29, 1981 and becoming the Princess of Wales. She gave birth to Prince William in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984.
Diana separated from Charles during the early 1990s after many years of marital strife. Their divorce was finalized in 1996, and she dated a few men before getting serious with Dodi Al-Fayed. The beloved princess passed away at the age of 36 after the car she rode with Dodi crashed in a tunnel in Paris on August 31, 1997.
