Why Diana is the real star of The Crown
Its record viewers are all thanks to the real Diana. Here’s why, 23 years after she passed away, the princess’ power still endures
According to new figures, an incredible 29 million of us watched The Crown in its first week - more than who tuned in for Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981.
It’s all down to one woman – Diana. Despite its mangling of history, what the drama has done, is introduce the princess to a new generation too young to remember her. Here’s what is it about Diana that has endured through the decades. She was…
a victim: The Archbishop of Canterbury called Charles and Diana’s wedding “the stuff of which fairy-tales are made.” She had a different take, later admitting, “I felt I was a lamb going to the slaughter.”
a loving mother: Diana was a loving, hands-on mother, normal now, but radical at the time. “I live for my boys, I would be lost without them,” she said.
magnetic: The first royal superstar, one million people turned out in Australia for the 1983 royal tour – and they were all chanting Diana’s name.
the People’s Princess: She smashed boundaries with her empathy when she hugged a seven-year-old AIDS patient in New York, which was shocking then. “To me it was quite a normal thing to do,” she said.
vulnerable: Diana was open about her struggles, admitting she suffered from post-natal depression, bulimia and self-harmed: “I was crying out for help.”
fun: what The Crown didn’t show, was the princess’ sense of humour. “Her wicked sense of fun was infectious,” said her friend Rosa Monckton.
caring: “I think the biggest disease this world suffers from … is the disease of people feeling unloved,” Diana told Martin Bashir. “I’d like to be a queen of people’s hearts.”
generous: In 1997 she took the initiative to auction her designer dresses at Christies in New York, raising USD $3.25 million for charity.
a game-changer: After her death, the monarchy underwent a seismic change. “Diana was a huge catalyst of change for the Royal Family,” said astrologer and friend Penny Thornton.
Meghan lifts ‘taboo’ with confession
Just like Diana, who broke taboos on a number of issues, Meghan’s moving confession this week moved the dial on the conversation surrounding miscarriage. Writing in the New York Times, the Duchess revealed her “almost unbearable grief” in losing a baby. In her essay, The Losses We Share, Meghan described the devastation she and Harry felt, and the moment, as she was changing Archie’s nappy one morning in July, that she “dropped to the floor” in pain.
Encouraged by Harry to share her loss and help others who may feel isolated, Meghan addressed the stigma attached to it (something 1 in 4 women will experience), “…the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning,” she said. Numerous baby loss charities are now applauding Meghan for her openness. Clea Harmer, Sands UK Chief Executive, said, “Meghan sums up the pain of pregnancy and baby loss perfectly… It helps enormously when someone in the public eye speaks out as it lets everyone affected know they are not alone.”
Through the Royal keyhole: Highgrove
You don’t have to do a Michael Fagan to peek inside the royal households, just leave it to us. This week, we look at Charles and Camilla’s homes.
Their London residence is Clarence House, but they also own Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate, Welsh farmhouse Llwynywermod and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, which Charles bought just before he married Diana. The nine-bedroom Cotswolds mansion is famous for its beautiful gardens and organic farm, which you can visit. Fans of The Crown should note it subbed Somerley Estate near the New Forest, which ironically, you can’t visit unless you are getting married. And nobody is doing that right now. Both Highgrove and Clarence House are decorated by Robert Kime, with heavy velvet drapes, antique furniture and gilt-framed artwork. Clarence House is also open to the public and you can look inside here.
Get Kate’s earrings - on sale now
Since Black Friday, we’re a teeny bit obsessed with sniffing out a chic bargain. Which is why we’re snapping up Monica Vinader jewellery. Kate’s shown her love of the brand over the years, wearing, among other designs, these 18ct green onyx Siren Wire earrings (£93.75, reduced from £125). Meghan’s wrist is adorned with their Linear Friendship Bracelet (same price as earrings - it’s selling out fast). The Vinader 25% off discount ends Weds Dec 2. Other Duchess-approved brands with royally good sales are Whistles, L.K. Bennett (nude heels, anyone?) and Superga (Kate’s 2750 Cotu classic white trainers are here).
Breaking news! Don’t miss next week’s cracking Christmas gift guide - all royally approved!
And finally, random regal fact of the week
The Queen created a new dog breed - the dorgi - when one of her Pembroke Welsh corgis mated with Pipkin, a dachshund belonging to Princess Margaret.