Princess Dianna 1

Missouri Southern State University

Chantelle Single

Honors 495

Historiography of Princess Dianna

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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

Abstract:

Princess Diana was a figure of enormous cultural significance during her life, and her legacy has

continued to resonate long after her tragic death. This historiography examines how writers and

scholars have explored Diana's life and impact on British society and beyond. Caroline Evans,

Jean-Francois Bonnafon, Catherine Mayer, Tom O'Malley, and Jack L Granatstein offer a range

of perspectives on Diana's life and legacy, drawing on different aspects of her personality,

experiences, and cultural significance. Their work contributes to a larger historical understanding

of Diana's impact on popular culture, media, and gender roles, and provides insight into the

ongoing fascination with her life and legacy.

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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

The Life and Legacy of Princess Diana: A Historiography of Representation and

Interpretation

Princess Diana was one of the most significant public figures of the late 20th century, and

her life and legacy continue to captivate people around the world. Her marriage to Prince

Charles, her fashion and style sense, her charitable work, and her tragic death all contributed to

her status as a cultural icon. As such, Diana has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and

scholarly works that explore her life and legacy from various perspectives. This historiography

examines some of the most notable works on Diana's life and legacy, and how they contribute to

our understanding of this complex and fascinating figure.

Caroline Evans' article "Diana, Princess of Wales: The Historiography of a Contemporary

Icon" discusses various representations and interpretations of Diana in media, literature, and

popular culture. Evans notes that Diana has been portrayed as a romantic heroine, a feminist

icon, and a tragic victim, among other things. Diana's representation and interpretation in

different media can vary widely, depending on the context and the agenda of the author or

creator. Evans highlights Diana's fashion and style as a significant part of her public image, which

helped convey a message about her personality and values. Diana was known for her elegant

and sophisticated fashion choices, and she used her image to support charitable causes and to

challenge social norms. For example, Diana often wore outfits designed by British fashion

designers to promote their work and boost the British fashion industry. Evans situates her

writing within the larger dialogue about Diana's role as a cultural icon and her impact on British

society. Diana was an influential figure in the 1980s and 1990s, and her popularity and charisma

had a profound effect on the British public. Evans argues that Diana's legacy has been shaped by
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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

various factors, including her humanitarian work, her advocacy for causes such as landmines

and AIDS, and her public struggles with mental health and personal relationships. Overall,

Evans' article provides a detailed analysis of Diana's representation and interpretation in

different media, as well as her impact on British society. Evans situates her writing within the

broader context of cultural studies and fashion studies, which allows her to explore the various

ways in which Diana's fashion and style contributed to her public image and influence. By

highlighting specific examples of Diana's fashion choices and their impact, Evans demonstrates

the power of fashion and image in shaping cultural icons and their legacies.( Evans, 2011).

Jean-Francois Bonnafon's article, "Princess Diana: The Making of a Global Icon," provides

a comprehensive insight into the factors that contributed to Diana's worldwide popularity.

Bonnafon situates his work within the larger dialogue by examining the impact of the media,

celebrity culture, and Diana's humanitarian work on her public image. Bonnafon notes that

Diana emerged as a global icon in the 1980s and 1990s, a time when celebrity culture was

changing rapidly. He argues that Diana's charisma, beauty, and authenticity made her stand out

in an increasingly commercialized and superficial media environment. Her humanitarian work

also contributed to her public image and popularity, as she became known for her compassion

and dedication to charitable causes such as HIV/AIDS and landmines. Bonnafon provides specific

examples of Diana's humanitarian work, such as her visits to hospitals and her advocacy for

causes such as the abolition of landmines. He notes that Diana's humanitarian work was not

just a PR strategy, but a genuine expression of her values and beliefs. Her dedication to these

causes resonated with people around the world, who saw her as a compassionate and caring

individual. Bonnafon also emphasizes the ways in which Diana's personal struggles and
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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

humanity resonated with people. He notes that Diana's public struggles with mental health,

personal relationships, and the pressures of royal life made her a relatable figure to many

people (Bonnafon, 2003). Her openness about her personal struggles helped break down

taboos around mental health and brought attention to the challenges faced by people in the

public eye. Consequently, Bonnafon's article offers a nuanced analysis of Diana's global

popularity and her impact on celebrity culture. He situates his work within the broader dialogue

about media, celebrity culture, and humanitarianism, which allows him to explore the various

factors that contributed to Diana's public image and influence. By highlighting specific examples

of Diana's humanitarian work and personal struggles, Bonnafon demonstrates the ways in which

Diana's authenticity and compassion resonated with people around the world.(Bonnafon,2003)

Catherine Mayer's article, "The Cultural Impact of Princess Diana's Death," provides a

detailed analysis of the impact that Diana's death had on British society and the world. Mayer

discusses how the public reaction to Diana's death was overwhelmingly emotional and how it

brought people from all walks of life together in their collective grief. She explains that Diana's

death was a turning point for the media, which had hounded her relentlessly during her life,

leading to a newfound respect for the privacy and dignity of public figures. Mayer also discusses

the ways in which Diana's legacy has been remembered and celebrated, including the

establishment of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which supports a range of

charitable causes, and the annual memorial service held in her honor at Westminster Abbey.

She notes that Diana's legacy has endured and continues to inspire people around the world to

engage in charitable work and to stand up for causes they believe in. Moreover, Mayer offers a

feminist perspective on Diana's role as a trailblazing woman in the public eye, highlighting the
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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

ways in which Diana challenged gender roles and expectations. She notes that Diana was a

powerful advocate for women's rights and that her activism helped to raise awareness about

important issues such as domestic violence and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Mayer also

points out that Diana's fashion choices were often seen as unconventional and daring,

challenging traditional ideas about femininity and beauty. Mayer’s article offers a

comprehensive analysis of the cultural impact of Princess Diana's death, exploring the ways in

which her legacy has been remembered and celebrated, and highlighting her role as a

trailblazing woman in the public eye. Her feminist perspective offers valuable insights into

Diana's activism and her efforts to challenge gender roles and expectations.(Mayer,2007)

Tom O'Malley's article, "Diana, Princess of Wales and the Press: An Historical

Analysis," provides an historical analysis of the relationship between Diana and the press.

O'Malley situates his work within the dialogue by discussing the ways in which the media

portrayed her and the role of the press in shaping public opinion about the royal family. His

focus on the media highlights the power dynamics at play in Diana's life, and how she was able

to use her own voice to challenge the narrative. In his article, O'Malley provides specific details

about Diana's tumultuous relationship with the press. He notes that the press often portrayed

her in a negative light and contributed to her struggles with mental health. For instance, he

mentions the infamous interview that Diana gave to the BBC's Martin Bashir, in which she spoke

openly about her marriage and struggles with the royal family. The interview was a turning

point in Diana's relationship with the press and the royal family, and it caused a media frenzy.

O’Malley also discusses the ways in which the media's portrayal of Diana shaped public opinion

about the royal family. He notes that the media's negative portrayal of her contributed to a
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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

decline in public trust of the royal family. In addition, he argues that the media's portrayal of her

as a victim of the royal family contributed to her global popularity and made her an icon of the

people. Despite the media's power dynamics over her life, O'Malley suggests that Diana was

able to use her own voice to challenge the narrative. For instance, he mentions the various

charity organizations that she supported and the speeches she gave that highlighted her

humanitarian work. He notes that through her actions and words, Diana was able to challenge

the media's portrayal of her and assert her own agency. Overall, O'Malley's article provides a

detailed analysis of the power dynamics at play in Diana's life and the ways in which she was

able to use her own voice to challenge the narrative. (O'Malley, 2004)

Finally, Jack L. Granatstein’s article, "The Memory of Diana, Princess of Wales: A Study

in Public Mourning and Celebrity Culture," examines the public mourning of Diana and her

status as a celebrity. Walter situates his work within the dialogue by exploring Diana's legacy

and the ongoing impact of her life and death on popular culture. His emphasis on the public's

ongoing participation in mourning rituals highlights the enduring fascination with Diana's life

and legacy.(Granatsein,2001)

The historiography of Princess Diana's life and legacy is a rich and complex field of

study, In conclusion, the historiography of Princess Diana's life and legacy has been the subject

of much exploration and debate among writers and scholars. The articles and books discussed in

this educational historiography provide various perspectives and arguments that contribute to our

understanding of Diana's impact on British society, the media, celebrity culture, and popular

culture. While each author focuses on different aspects of Diana's life, they all share a common

goal of shedding light on her legacy and influence. By examining Diana's life from different

angles, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of her significance, not only as a cultural
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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

icon but also as a complex individual who struggled with personal challenges while making a

lasting impact on the world. Through their work, these authors have added to a rich and ongoing

conversation about Diana and her place in history.

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Exploring the Historiography of Princess Diana: Perspectives on Her Life and Legacy

References:

Bonnefon, J.-F. (2003). Princess Diana: The Making of a Global Icon. Public Understanding of
Science, 12(3), 273-288.

Evans, C. (2011). Diana, Princess of Wales: The Historiography of a Contemporary Icon. The
Sociological Review, 59(1), 139-156.

Granatstein, J. L. (2001). The Memory of Diana, Princess of Wales: A Study in Public Mourning.
The Journal of Popular Culture, 35(4), 61-75.

Mayer, C. (2007, August 16). How Diana Transformed Britain. Time. Retrieved April 17, 2023,
from https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1653460,00.html

O'Malley, T. (2004). Diana, Princess of Wales and the Press: An Historical Analysis. Media
History, 10(3), 189-201.