London – 25 years ago, Princess Diana’s death occurred in the same spectacular way she had for the last 16 years of her life: under the media focus, in an accident in Paris in the early hours of August 31, 1997. In the car she was traveling with her boyfriend, Arab billionaire Dodi Fayed, she went off the road while trying to avoid famous photo shooters.
The life and death of a shy kindergarten assistant of noble origin who married Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, bears little resemblance to fairy tale stories. Dramas have been featured in reports, movies and TV series, some reproducing the craziest conspiracy theories.
Much of what is said about him is invention. But one thing is indisputable: the charisma etched in the images of her public appearances, from her days as a typical British girl to the glamor of an international celebrity, including her loving mother and activist walking the mines in Africa.
Lady Diana, photos remember 25 years of death
London’s Getty Images archive, one of the largest in the world, contains photographs of many of the “Diana princesses” she embodied after her engagement to Prince Charles in 1981.
And this is not in the past. The mystery around the so-called “people’s princess”, whose marriage also ended noisily with betrayals and exaggerated interviews, still lives on.
According to Getty, despite the fact that it’s been a long time since her death, more people have searched for photos and videos of Princess Diana in the last 12 months than pictures of her bride Kate, married to Prince William.
To mark the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, the archive’s team of curators have curated key photos that capture and reveal some of the special moments in Princess Diana’s life.
This image was captured by renowned royal photographer Tim Graham during Diana’s first official photo shoot after her engagement to Prince Charles on May 6, 1981, in Balmoral, Scotland.
The photo shows an expression of boredom that doesn’t match the idea of a future princess excited for the wedding.
Melanie Llewellyn, curator of the Getty Images Archive, thinks this photo of Princess Diana may have been overlooked in her initial selection of images to be used for promotion.
“As we begin to understand more about his life in the years to come, the portrait moves,” says Llewellyn.
It was not a problem to repeat clothes back then. Diana was photographed wearing the same sweater in London in January 1981.
There, Lady Diana Spencer, still a nursery assistant, was shown at the Young England Kindergarten with the children in her care.
But the Getty curator points to one detail that suggests fame has already come for the future Princess Diana: the watchful eye of the woman in the red dress.
Although Princess Diana’s death occurred a quarter of a century ago, no news has yet been found among the photographs in the archive. Melanie Llewellyn explains that thousands of images are scanned each month and some surprises are revealed.
“It can be difficult to see someone photographed like Princess Diana with new eyes. But every once in a while an image pops up and can do just that—perhaps capturing a less common movement between more familiar poses.”
One of the examples the curator pointed out is this portrait of Tom Stoddart, another big name in photography.
Spontaneous shooting is reminiscent of the style of the street photography genre. The difference is the instantly recognizable face.
The photo, which shows an “exaggerated surprise when the mini Metro car stops,” also contrasts with the traditional and more chaotic images of the paparazzi chasing Princess Diana in later years.
Another new find in the Getty Images archive is a photograph of Diana during her first official march in the city of Tetbury on May 22, 1981, sixteen years before her death.
She wears a red and white blazer by stylist Jasper Conran, and the color of the outfit is enhanced by red roses presented by a fan.
A crowd around Diana celebrates the future princess by photographing them with analog cameras. Most of these photos should be in boxes forgotten today. That’s why photo archives that store and catalog historical images are so important.
Melanie Llewellyn says Getty’s collections of images of the British royal family date back to the dawn of photography, allowing her to trace lives and ancestors.
“We can see the changing styles of real portraits as well as changing access parameters and distinctions between public and private.
[…] Even without the weight of the person being photographed, the first images are often the most interesting”.
Photographed by American photojournalist Dirck Halstead, Diana is here days before her wedding, with her future mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. He is seen greeting Elizabeth with a kiss.
“There is something moving about seeing such a simple and compassionate exchange between two such important figures before the complex years that followed,” says Llewellyn.
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Another scene chosen by Getty to mark the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death is famed photojournalist John Downing clicking after the Princess of Wales visited a school near the town of Highgrove in June 1985.
Thousands of images were made of events like this. The special detail is the movement of the girl’s ponytail and the mischievous expression on Diana’s face as she tries to catch the bouquet through the half-open glass.
“Even if most of her face is hidden, we instantly recognize the recipient of the bouquet as Diana.”
The evolution of Diana’s figure has been documented by the press and in articles by great photographers for fashion and style magazines. She impressed the world with her haircuts and outfits bearing the signature of great stylists.
But there are also more surprising fashion moments to watch, including a pair of pink Converse All Stars worn during a visit to the Royal Hampshire Regiment in Tidworth in June 1988.
The color of the sneakers contrasts with the green of the landscape, the grass-covered soldier’s well-camouflaged attire, and the uniform worn by Diana, who goes to the unit to participate in military exercises and drive a tank.
The photograph has a story about its author as well as tennis. Specializing in covering the activities of the British monarchy, Jayne Fincher was one of the few photographers who had worked on Fleet Street, where major British newspapers had been since the late 1970s.
According to Melanie Llewellyn, Fincher had a good relationship with Diana and her features were highlighted by the photographer’s gaze.
In another photo, Princess Diana was photographed during a walk in Oxford in 1990.
The photographer captured the glow of the warmly lit and upward-smiling figure of the princess.
“In an event like any other, Fincher captured a particular moment, a talent he shares with Diana.”
II. Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, was known for her crossover among major celebrities, but Princess Diana went further and became part of the circuit of well-known figures around the world until her death 25 years ago.
This photo is of a benefit preview of the Langham Hilton Hotel in 1991, a movie “coupled” with actress and singer Liza Minnelli.
While sipping water and coke, the two seem to be enjoying some slurs like two young friends.
This rare image of a member of the monarchy laughing spontaneously was captured by community and entertainment photographer Dave Benett.
Another curiosity of the photo was that Diana attended the event on her own decision, not as part of her official duties, at a time when she was beginning to distance herself from the royal family. A year later, she and Prince Charles broke up with she.
“One reason archive photos are relevant is the context they can provide for understanding the present moment. The royal family narrative remains engaging, and as Diana’s children are now parents, there is a real fascination with comparing the looks produced today with those of the past.”
This is an example.
The recording of Princess Diana at the funeral in honor of her father Earl Spencer in May 1992 reveals a sensitive moment in the center, showing her with her hands on Prince William’s head under the gaze of his brother Harry.
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source: Noticias
