Princess Diana fans share heartfelt tributes as today marks the 24th anniversary of her tragic death

Princess Diana died 24 years ago today, and for some fans it's clear that the pain of her loss hasn't gone away

Princess Diana
(Image credit: Tim Graham / Contributor/ Getty Images)

Princess Diana died 24 years ago today and left not only her young family and friends but legions of devoted fans devastated. In the wake of this poignant date, there has been an outpouring of love for the much-loved royal.


Princess Diana was born into the British aristocracy. Raised Lady Spencer, she grew up in Althorp House. However, it's not what she was born into but what she married into that made her an international figure.

Owing to her philanthropic work, pushing boundaries of social norms and giving a voice to the voiceless—she was known in her lifetime, and since, as the 'Peoples' Princess.'

Many are in utter shock that it's been 24 years since that fateful accident in a Parisian tunnel because for some it feels like only yesterday.

One post that proves a picture is a thousand words is the one shared of her at a public event in front of Sydney Opera House. The snap, taken during the Royal couple's first tour abroad together of Australia and New Zealand in 1983, shows fans who'd turned out in their thousands to see the Princess.

Those loyal to Lady Spencer have also been turning out in their droves to visit the new Princess Diana statue which is open to the public from today, in memory of her life.

The statue has already proven a hit and there's no surprise there as one Instagram user puts it, "Diana, it’s been 24 years without you, the world misses you. 🕊"

Any parent will tell you that their greatest pride in life is their children and there's no doubt that Princess Diana would be incredibly proud of her sons Prince William and Prince Harry. 

Although they may have had a rocky few years of late, the two of them have remained resolute in their dedication to charitable interests. 

One Twitter user shared a video of a heartbreaking interview with her eldest son. Prince William says in the interview, "I wanted her to be proud of the person I'd become, I didn't want her worried."

As well as this, Prince William and Prince Harry showed 'unity' as they honored their late mother Princess Diana at the unveiling of her statue.

Princess Diana statue

(Image credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI / Contributor / Getty Images)

The brothers also stand united in protecting their mother's memory and fighting those who they believe made her life more difficult, including the BBC and Martin Bashir. In the years since the now infamous incident it's come to light that Princess Diana feared dramatic Panorama interview was a 'mistake'.

Following the Lord Dyson inquiry into the interview, Prince William stood up publically and said that the BBC's 'lies' in Princess Diana interview worsened his parents' relationship.

Prince Harry made his own statement, following the inquiry's damning verdict on the interview. He said, "Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed. By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for."

The Earl of Spencer, Diana's brother to whom she was very close, planted 36 trees in her memory—one for every year of her life and the official Althorp Twitter account shared a snap of the thriving trees.

A post from a Greek charity, which won the Diana Award in her memory, discussed not only her loss but how she changed the world and the face of humanitarian work.

"The Princess's groundbreaking work not only redefined humanitarianism for the 21st century, but created a ripple effect of kindness which transcends time, space and race. Let's all be inspired to create our own ripple effect of kindness today and every day. 💐"

Another user added beautifully, "This world misses you so much. Forever the queen of our hearts, the one and only Diana Spencer."

Despite countless public tributes to her memory, neither her sons nor the Royal Family have paid public tribute to Diana on her anniversary.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.