The Day Princess Diana Died

The Day Princess Diana Died

I remember the day that Princess Diana died. It was 8:30 in the morning. Phil was already up, and the phone rang. It was my brother‑in‑law, Jimmy. He said, “Have you heard the news?” I was panicking, thinking, “God, what’s happened in the family?” I said, “No, what? What?” He said, “Princess Diana’s been killed in a car accident in Paris.” And I remember… I started crying. I turned to Phil and I said, “Phil, Princess Diana’s been killed in a car crash.” And he didn’t know anything. He hadn’t heard any news that morning.

Then my Mam was coming downstairs. As she got midway, she said, “Who’s that?” And I said, “Mam, it’s Jimmy,” and I was crying. She said, “What’s wrong?” I said, “Princess Diana’s been killed in Paris in a car crash.” “Oh no, no, no,” she said, and she was crying her eyes out. She had to sit down on the stairs steps to compose herself. It was so heartbreaking.

Anyway, the following day, Phil went to work, and all the nation was in tears and crying. Our local council opened a room to sign a book of condolences. People were walking down in our town, in hundreds towards the council offices. I drove my car in. There were queues outside coming in, and queues going out. I queued, and I went up, taking my place in the queue.

I went inside, and people were hugging each other in tears. I left my message in the book about her, saying, you know, the usual. I sat there in tears on the chair by that book for a good few moments. I wrote: “May God bless you, from Marie, Phil, and family.”

The drive home was just as bad. Cars were passing. I noticed men and women crying in cars that passed me as I drove home. It was a very sad time. TV and radio – that grief flowed like an ocean; deep, meaningful tears. We will never forget.

The funeral came. I watched it on TV. Now once again more tears falling. Will they ever stop? I asked myself.

My heart broke for those boys she left behind. I’ve never been a fan of King Charles because of Camilla. The Royal Family to me It was just a royal Christmas‑day thing: after dinner, wash the dishes, sit down for the Queen’s speech with a glass of sherry.

The way the nation wept oceans of tears – it proved that she was our real Queen. The Queen of Hearts. The one a nation loved, our Queen of Hearts. Diana was so loved. I am glad I was here on this earth to live in a world with a real princess.

Time has never really eased my sadness, nor my husband’s. We both loved her so much.

What where you doing when you heard the news? I would love to know.