WHEN Diana was killed in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997, bad girl of British pop Lilly Allen was just 12 years old. But, after the accident, she took to London's streets and cried at the Princess's funeral that autumn.
Now, 10 years later, Allen was one of the young stars who performed at a memorial concert for Princess Diana in London on July 1. Young people her age have felt the powerful legacy Diana left behind. Many found an element in her that they could identify with.
"She was every little girl's fairy princess personified, every young woman's role model of fashion and society, and in her charity work, she was everyone's best chum," explains the royal commentator, Anne Somme.
It's not only young stars like Allen who are showing their respect for Diana, but other young British seem to be mourning her in their own way.
A group of rappers from South London have recorded a song, "Ten Years Since You've Been Gone", to commemorate her death. "Princess Diana touched a lot of people when she was alive and it's amazing how much affection there still is for her," said the record's producer, Charles Bailey.
Sympathetic figure
But Diana was not always the tower of strength depicted by her glamorous image. The revelations of her decade-long suffering from bulimia found sympathy with many young people. Admitting her disorder gave support to fellow sufferers. The number of young women coming forward for treatment doubled during the 1990s, according to a study by London's Institute of Psychiatry.
"By raising awareness she helped reduce the stigma attached to these illnesses and encouraged young people to seek help," explains Mary George, of the Eating Disorder Association in the UK. "She made a very brave decision to publicly admit to such a problem."
So, the strength of her resolve allowed Diana to turn her weaknesses into something positive for the public good.
Even after her tragic death, the Princess left two handsome sons, William and Harry, continuing her charitable legacy. Prince William heads the UK's leading homeless charity Centrepoint. Prince Harry's Sentebale helps children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, southern Africa.
As Diana's children, they have of course received extra attention and affection from the public ? as well as speculation. To the delight of young Royal fans, a new generation of Royals has emerged, and with them their girlfriends Kate Middleton and Chelsea Davy.
It was recently rumored that Prince William will propose to Kate with one of Diana's treasured rings. It seems that the young princes are keeping Diana's memory alive.
She said ...
"Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be."
On her royal duty
"I don't go by the rule book... I lead from the heart, not the head."
On her free spirit
"I don't want expensive gifts. I have everything I want. I just want someone to be there for me, to make me feel safe and secure."
On friends
"There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
On her marriage with Prince Charles
Camilla vs. Diana
Should Camilla attend the Diana memorial service on August 31? (UK poll)
What would she have done?
If Princess Diana had lived, what do you think she would have been? (US poll)
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bulimia 贪食症，即偶尔暴食，继而又感到沮丧、难过和自责
commentator 评论员
depict 描写
glamorous 充满魅力的
legacy 遗产
mourn 哀悼
personify 拟人化，象征
rapper 说唱歌手
revelation 揭露
speculation 猜测
stigma 污名
Bonus points
identify with: 认同，视为一体
Yeah, i can identify with that, John,your idea seems completely reasonable to me.
对，这一点我也认同。约翰，你的想法在我看来非常有道理。
chum: 密友，死党，常用于男孩之间。也可用作动词表示“结为好朋友”。
JIm was really eager about seeing his old school chums at the class reunion.
吉姆非常希望能在同学聚会上见到他原来在学校的死党。 |
