Is Princess Diana Being Treated As Unfairly In Death, As In Life By Royals?

By KAREN SLOAN .c The Associated Press

LONDON (Aug. 30) - The dazzling image of Princess Diana, once the British royal family's brightest star, has begun to dim just five years after her death.

Diana was one of the most famous women in the world before the Aug. 31, 1997 car crash in Paris that took her life at age 36. As the anniversary of her death approaches, signs and memories of the fabled princess are dwindling.

The official memorial for her in London still has not been built. The plans for the memorial, a water feature in Hyde Park, were only agreed upon in July after years of debate.

A playground that carries her name was opened two years ago, but it's tucked away in a far corner of Kensington Gardens in central London. ``It's not obvious,'' said Arthur Edwards, veteran royal photographer for the Sun newspaper. ``I think people stumble across it.''

In the media, the anniversary has brought a modest flurry of coverage and a new tell-all book by former police bodyguard Ken Wharfe.

But the newspapers that never missed an opportunity to carry pictures of the princess on the front page now relegate her to occasional reports tucked well inside their pages.

``I think the obsession with her is over,'' said Penny Junor, royalty journalist and author. ``I think people look back on her now with affection, with admiration, some with adoration. But it's a much more balanced view.''

``Time heals and changes,'' said Morris Bierbraer of Debrett's Peerage. ``There is - I wouldn't say a backlash - but a general acceptance that the chapter is closed and we must move on.''

Diana's ex-husband, Prince Charles, has done so.

Once pilloried as a bad husband and an absentee father, Charles now ``is going from strength to strength'' in public esteem, Junor notes.

``I think one of the main factors in his rehabilitation ... is that demonstrably, his sons adore him,'' said Bierbraer.

And Camilla Parker Bowles, the woman Diana apparently blamed for the breakdown of her marriage, now seems to be accepted by much of the public as Charles' companion.

``I see Prince Charles with Camilla, and I see how happy he is now,'' said Edwards, who has photographed the royals for years. ``He's relaxed, he's carefree, he's enjoying life to the full.''

The one place to find a lavish memorial to Diana in London is at Harrods, the regal department store.

Dodi Fayed, son of the store's owner Mohammed al Fayed, and Diana's companion, also died in the crash. His father has constructed a monument that includes large pictures of the two edged in gold, mounted over a fountain and a pyramid that contains the glass Diana and Dodi drank wine from during their last meal at the Paris Ritz hotel.

Al Fayed continues to dispute the official finding that the Paris crash was an accident.

His spokesman, Chester Stern, said al Fayed is joining the legal action in France, mounted by the parents of chauffeur Henri Paul, disputing results of the blood test that determined Paul was drunk behind the wheel.

Al Fayed has filed suit in the United States to get access to materials from the CIA and other national security agencies that he claims may contain important information. He released a video in the United States on Thursday to appeal to the American people for help.

``I believe the evidence shows that Dodi and Diana were murdered. They were murdered because they were going to get married. A marriage between the mother of the future King of England and the Muslim son of an Egyptian was totally unacceptable to the ruling British establishment,'' al Fayed said in the video.

Outside of London, attendance has dropped at the Diana exhibition at her family home, Althorp.

The Diana Memorial Fund no longer actively solicits public donations, although it still works to set up corporate licensing deals and still has $91.8 million, said chief executive Andrew Purkis.

But for Edwards, the biggest reminder of Diana is a living one: her sons, William and Harry.

``I saw them both together recently,'' he said. ``They're both fine young men, and I thought, God, she would be so proud of these boys, the way they've turned out.''

The photographer, who spent nearly two decades snapping pictures of Diana, said her eldest son's resemblance to her is remarkable.

``He's got the same mannerisms,'' said Edwards. ``I think William, forever, will remind the world of his mother.''

08/29/02 17:45 EDT

Copyright 2002 The Associated Press.

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NOW: anyone who read one of MANY books on the life of Diana, or saw any of the interviews, you know the Royal Family, welcomed her with open daggers. She was treated VERY badly by them all. She was the "people's princess". They (the royal family) robbed her of her title, and dis-honored her every way they could.

I think she should be honored. She certainly earned it for her selfless work with others. She embodied all that was good, about the English people. But, I also see things through the eyes of an American.

So, 5 years later, I think the Royals are trying to treat her as a bad memory. What do you guys think?

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