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I would hope that Diana's death has changed the minds of people all over the world. But I hope that the monarchy will become more "people", like the Princess. I don't want to see her boys swallowed up by the 'firm'.
J S Lover, USA

When Diana died the whole world wept. Never in my fifty years have I seen such an outpouring of emotion when someone has died. She was not a saint but she was a very human person that touched the lives of so many. She was not afraid or appalled by the poor and sick. She hugged and touched them and gave them encouragement when no one else would. She let the world see that she was not just a princess dressed in glamorous clothes but a real and human person that cares for others even in times of personal problems. I think we all saw a part of Diana in ourselves whether it was that we had similar problems or admiration for her position as a princess or a loving mother. God Bless you, Diana.
Donna, USA

Diana's death showed not just how the British public had truly made her the 'Queen of their hearts", but also revealed that something more serious is absent from life in the modern British society. I would not presume to say what that might be for others, but for myself I in this new year will address the question in my own life. We recognised in Diana a special value not often seen.
It was the same value that took care of neighbors during the Blitz, that fetched your shopping when you were ill, and prayed reverently when we could see no other way. I miss my Britain, and yes, I would like it back please, if you are done with it!
Robert Purnell, USA

Not only did Diana's death change Britian, but so did her life! She was a warm human being in a cold family. She was open to all people from all religions, colours and walks of life, in a family that only allow white, upper-class noble Protestants to marry in... Diana in life represented a modern, more caring Royal Family the citizens wanted. And in return the Royal Family were true to their history...You dont cross the Royals and keep your head. Now that she's gone, The Royals are forced to pay attention. God Bless You Diana.
Mignon Sharie, USA ( British Citizen )

Diana's death prompted the biggest display of public grief that I can remember. I find this a regrettable indication of just how disconnected people are from their communities. That it requires some public spectacle for people to find a shallow common ground with their neighbors is a sad sign of our times.
Ashton M. Thorogood, USA

Diana's death hasn't changed the people of Britain. A little shock and a couple of weeks of group induced moping helped some vent buried emotions - but by and large it only served to demonstrate how the media can manipulate the emotional responses of people shocked at an unexpected turn of events.
Interesting to see that the responses from US readers place our national response under somewhat rose-tinted spectacles. Well sorry to disappoint you folks, but next time you're in London, you'll still trip over homeless people, you'll still be delayed by bomb threats, you'll still have to hang on to your handbags.
It'll take more than ten minutes of madness in a French tunnel to make people change their attitudes to themselves and others, and how the two interact. Alas for now the majortity seem satisfied to follow selfish personal agendas. As Mrs T said "Community is dead"...and hey, long shall we regret it.
J. Gilmour, UK

In my response I answered 'yes' to the question 'Has Diana's death changed Britain', I'm not so sure if its changed Britain in a whole but it has changed, or maybe, it is changing the Royal family.
They've always believed that the stiff upper lip, the stuffy tradition, etc. brought respect from the public, but then Diana came along a proved that this was not necessarly true.
Unfortunatly the present Royal family (as much as they try) will never be able to have a similar outlook on life which made her such a lovable person. Let's hope that William and Harry, the next Royal generation, have inherited the down-to-earth outlook which made thier mother, probably, the most loved woman in the world!
Rachael, British citizen in Switzerland

The profound nature of the response of people around the world cannot be ignored by the Royal Family. My own feelings, as a long term Royalist were immediately changed. I blame them entirely for Princess Diana's death. A theory abounds, The Royal Family did not want Diana marrying a Muslim and being the stepfather to the heir to the thrown. Theory or not, I have turned my back on the Royal Family and will never forgive them.
Ranee Smith, Australia

Diana's death brought about a long overdue change in public feeling towards the establishment which no longer affects real lives.
Rhidian Jones, UK

Upon visiting Scotland nearly a month after the tragic accident, I still met people in a state of shock and deep bereavment. On the flight home, I as well as the rest cried during the BBC video aired on the plane.

From an over ocean view, it seems that the Monarchy is truly trying to shift gears and become less remote. I hope that they have a successful go of it.
Cat Eveleth, USA

I hope things have changed some, but cannot see everyone changing. I have changed since then and I am not British. She did a lot of good things. We can only hope that the good she started will continue.
April Herrick, USA

I agree that when Diana died it touched the world and as I told my son , when Diana died the world cried.
Lorraine Clifford, Australia

The one hope of comfort throughout all that strange outpouring of grief, is that maybe, the Thatcherite dictat that there is no such thing as "SOCIETY" was wrong. People DO belong in a social group and will ultimately pull together. Perhaps Dianas death was the excuse for a natonal "GROUP HUG" that people had been waiting for, for the last couple of decades.
Derek Smith, Scotland

I would like to think that one of the few good things to come from Diana's death was that Britons felt a bit more free to express themselves. British reserve is world famous and quite admirable. It's a trait that has helped the British survive incredible adversity such as the Blitz of WWII.

But Diana's passing was perhaps a bittersweet reminder that there are some things (and some people) that are so precious they are worth crying for.
Lisa Snoddy, USA

I think it did. But more at a very personal level - and not only in Britain. I believe this happened in many other corners of an increasingly globalized world. We are a great and large family, it took us a long time to realize such a transformation. Therefore, we tend to project our happiness or sorrow across political borders. This would not have happened fifty years ago. It's not just the media, there's more than that. So I believe...
Dan Draghici, Canada

Not a day goes by when I don't think of her and her children - I still read and watch anything on her that I can - in a way I think it's because I can't truly believe that she has finally gone.
Lucy Patsko, USA

I feel the death of Diana has changed Britain. And regardless of change, the grief expressed was genuine, not "mindless sentimentality". Those comments come from cold emotionless people.
Elizabeth Gill, USA

It seemed that the world was caught up in a tide of collective grief in the period following Diana's death. While it is true she is no longer a topic of daily conversation in our lives. I receive testimonials and evidence each day that show conclusively that the world is indeed a different place now. As an American, I believe her death will be compared with that of JFK and another part of our collective soul has been wounded as a result.
Dan Townsend, USA

I am not being funny but I don't think Diana's death has changed Britain a bit. People have resumed to their normal routine of hating each other and not caring for one another.This was what she tried to put across before she died.
Lagos, England

Charles seems to realize his children need the attention and time. He also looks like it does not upset him to do a couple of the things that Diana did with the boys. (Like the concerts for example.) I really hope that all the royal family start to have more contact with their subjects.
Carrie LaForge, USA

I really don't know whether the death of the Princess of Wales has, and will, change Britain. I believe that her greatest legacy will be showing the British people and the world alike, that it is alright to show emotion in public. That at the end of the day, we are all humans and have nothing to be ashamed of for 'crying' or 'hugging' in public. It happened four months ago, her legacy and memories will live on. It is now time for life to continue, as she would have wanted, and enjoy the lesson that she taught us.
Kirste Bridger, Canada

I think Diana's death has brought about some measure of change, but I also think it's part of a wider much bigger movement of change which has been happening for a couple of years now. From road protestors to people against live animal exports, and from a move to ban hand-guns to a determination to act against crime, I have noticed a fundamental change taking place in which a great many people in the mainstream of society who would never have thought of vocalising and standing up for their opinions now seem to see it as their duty. I think Diana's death has been one of the focuses in this new era, and I wonder whether - had her death come three or four years earlier - whether the same visible outpouring of sympathy would have been nearly so dramatic.
Andi-Tsuyoshi Williams, Japan

I have become more acutely aware of the importance of not squandering our time in this life. I feel I am more sensitive to the human condition and think that no deeds are truly more pertinent than those performed in service to the improvement of the quality of being on Earth. Though she was always a distant lighthouse in my life, I am still terribly saddened by the loss of Diana, and her beacon will never cease to light the way to a compassionate homestead. ("Perhaps, over all, there is a great motherhood as common longing" R.M. Rilke.)
Heidi Weiman, USA

If you have counters on your web-site, you should know this anyway. Just by counting the number of hits on the Diana and the Queen's speech will give you an idea of the impact Diana had. That intelligence, if not too strong a word, should allow the Establishment to manipulate the public into believing that they now have a more compassionate monarchy, upper house, judiciary, aristocracy and everything else that depends on convincing these poor, sentimental people that their best interests are being served. Despite all this, Diana has had an effect. She has brought the non-Anglo Saxon British into the fold, who mourn her as their champion. She has shown that glamour and style doesn't necessarily have to be superficial. She has made us feel proud again of being British. Yes she has had an effect.
Ian Clark, USA

I find it tragic that the death of one overly-wealthy, publicity-seeking self-server should so obsess a nation that the death a short time later of Mother Theresa went largely unnoticed. Mother Theresa was far more deserving of our outpourings of grief and should have engendered a greater sense of loss. She gave up everything of herself to help those whom no-one else would help. Because of this she was not rich, she was not beautiful, she was not glamorous, so she did not make for such interesting news coverage. I feel we need to readjust our values if they allow us to elevate Diana almost to sainthood while we forget about a woman who was all that Diana wished to be seen as.
Keith Young, England

Because she was the most influencial character for British people and whole world.
Parviz Aslani, Canada

In spite of the utter tragedy of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, it appears life goes on in the UK. There are more tributes to her in the USA!
Valerie Shealer, USA

Diana's death has awoken Britain from its doldrums. The impact it would have made on young Britons will develop into an inspired concern for the needy and vulnerable globally. Her name will always be twinned with Mother Teresa - the harmony of the opposites in search of peace for humanity.
Richards Karunairajan, Canada

We were briefly engulfed in a tide of mindless sentimentality. Hopefully this has passed.
Felicity Martin

No, Britain and indeed the rest of the world have not changed. We feel her loss, yet just four months after her death we are still filling our cupboards with more food and drink than we can consume. We tucked into our huge turkeys and washed it down with liquor and then slumped down in front of the telly to capture even more images of Diana's funeral and some of us cried again. Yet people are still starving in the third world and very few care. Our outpouring of grief at Diana's death, what was it all about? We showed the world how proud we are to have someone like Diana in our country but I would like to think there is a little of Diana in all of us, and if we look hard enough, we will find her.
As for the Royal family, it made my stomach turn over to see them crying over the Britannia. I did not see any tears at Diana's funeral.
Lillian Fisher, UK

I have just read the comments and I fail to see some people's perspectives. Diana, whether as an individual or as a Royal has changed not just the UK but the World. She was a image and icon for many people, and this is positive. the grief over her death was worldwide, and this display of emotion I believe has bought people together.
Kelvin Ashby-King, Thailand

I was in the UK for the month of September 1997, and experienced the feelings. You could not help but respond emotionally. This is something I have never experienced before. It was great to see all walks of society showing their grief to the event. I am sure this has not occurred in a spontaneous manner in recent years. During the second world war may be close, but Diana was a individual who was loved by everyone. I hope we can keep this feeling alive, and allow our feelings between people continue. I found that on my visit to the UK that it was easier to speak to strangers all over the place. Diana showed us all what life is all about. Lets keep her way of feeling for others and life itself on the front burner. Thanks for the chance of making comments, and wish everyone the best for the NEW YEAR in 1998.
Cecil Hopkins, Canada

Yes, I think Diana's death has definitely changed Britain. However, I still feel that her untimely passing seems too convenient for the Royal Family. As an American, I do not feel that Prince Charles deserves either the throne, or his country's undying loyalty. And why did it take his wife's death for him to suddenly turn into such a model father? Would he have done this much if Diana were still alive? I don't think so! Wake up, England. In this country, we think you guys might still be better off without that Royal Family!
Barbara Hartman, USA

Diana was no saint. For all the myth and inconsistency involved, we are still driven to 'buy the story'. The passing of Mother Theresa lends a sobering perspective to the events last summer, one which we should never forget. It particularly highlights our obsession with all things glamorous and disbelief that everyone of us has the ability to contribute profoundly to others. Whatever the reasons for that week of intense public mourning, its most important legacy will surely lie with the Princes; a display of support and concern for their future which they'll never forget.
Nicholas Weedon, Germany

In spite of the utter tragedy of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, it appears life goes on in the UK. There are more tributes to her in the USA!
Valerie Shealer, USA

Princess Diana merely showed the world that the Royals are extremely unemotional people. It was interesting that the Queen was able to shed a tear for the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia. But I didn't see any being shed for Princess Diana. The recent polls which show that Prince Charles has regained his popularity are clear evidence that her death hasn't changed Britain.
J Mcinespie, USA

The most striking thing about Diana's death is that it showed how united Britain can be in the face of calamity and grief, a feeling which was perhaps last experienced during the World Wars, and was thus a distant memory to recent generations. It also accentuated the need for reform in one of the great institutions of this land, the Monarchy.
That one event should do this in one stroke is truly remarkable, and testimony to the immense power that can come out of reaching out to the feelings and aspirations of ordinary people.
I never knew her personally, but I thank God for her life, and the hope she brought to so many.
Nathan Chishimba, (Zambia) Student in UK

I don't think Diana's death has changed Britain but the reaction was part of a worrying trend of hysteria which has been gripping the country for several years now. I mean by that we have seen over-reaction to such things as the possession of guns, banning of hunting, over control of food which seems irrational from a foreign point of view. I worry about the collective mental health of my country and relieved not to be living in Britain at this time.
Peter Wallace, Brazil

I believe her death has permanently altered the Monarchy. They realise they can no longer be cold and inaccessible to the public, if they wish to continue to reign. I think that it has also endeared the public to Prince William forever. They will never look at him as they have to Prince Charles. They'll always have respect for him.
Gracie Nnger, USA

Diana's death changed the way the world sees Britain. Britain has now joined the ranks of countries like North Korea whose citizens mourned their "great leaders' death with bizarre displays of mass public weeping and hysteria. Such a display bemuses - and frankly sometimes amuses - the rest of the world. Britons should not be so self congratulatory about their supposed new found 'emotional maturity' and should recognise that they have become laughable outside their own country.
Daniel Chen, Beijing, China

Nothing has changed, any good intentions are long forgotten, Let us now leave the rest of the royals, Charles and his sons in particular carry on with their lives and stop criticising their every move. They might not be perfect, but they do a lot of good work, Prince Charles and the Princess Royal particularly, but unfortunately this often goes unpublicised.
Julie, UK

Diana's death simply highlighted the tremendous hypocrisy of the British Public. One day her life was made a misery by the intense invasion of her private affairs by a scandal hungry public, the next we were supposed to be a hugely sensitive bunch of people. If her death has any effect on us it should make people consider the effects on public figures lives caused by buying trashy tabloid papers.
Chris Power, UK

Diana's death helped to reveal the spiritual needs that people in Britain have.
Marcos Barros, UK

Let's not get too misty eyed here. A young mother of two teenage boys dies in a car crash. Tragic? Yes. Cause for hysteria and national "grief"? No. The media helped stoke the atmosphere of course, but looking back now much of what happened afterwards was a bit dispiriting. People behaving like sheep and "mourning" for a woman that nearly all of them didn't know and hadn't even met was very depressing and shows that the public will always live down to the lowest expectations you have of them. Britain hasn't changed at all. The so-called feelings of togetherness have evaporated pretty quickly and the country has reverted to its Post-Thatcherist type; venal, self-obsessed and shallow. It will take much more than the death of an adept self-publicist to change things.
Darren Stephens, UK

I believe that it is only now that Diana is dead that many people really appreciate how great she was and how hard she worked for the different charities that she supported.
Jennifer Harnet, Australia

Britain will never be the same ever. Diana changed the look of England from being cold and miserable. My wife and I have total respect for Diana today and for ever. God bless her.
Lawrence Yehia, Yemen

Seems like Britain's stiff upper lip has fallen a bit since the incident. It was remarkable and touching to see such emotion displayed the Brits and the world.
Don Lueking, USA

I am originally from Jamaica, where sometimes we too maintain a "stiff upper lip". I have never seen any event that would make not just Britain, but the entire world just fall down in tears. The whole world was in a daze for one week. I will never forget this as long as I live. I wish Diana was still alive, and we would never have to have such an outpouring. I miss Diana terribly. Peace.
Terry Lynch, USA

I think the heart of Britain was cracked open by the incredible loss of Diana. She was like a priestess who gave voice to the struggle of balancing formality and emotion; heart and duty; shame and courage. She exposed herself with an eye toward the higher good. I felt the British people, and we Americans, as cultural satellites, took in the experience of Diana, and she in turn worked to bring a higher and deeper sense of what it means to be human.
Bill C Davis, USA

It has changed attitudes but not those of the Royals. They definitely appear to be riding Diana's coattails. It just goes to show what generations of in-breeding will do. I hope she taught her sons well.
Colleen O'Brien, Canada

Diana's death and the subsequent unbridled outpouring of grief around the world, brought home to the Royal family the realisation that the person they considered a thorn in their side was a rose to millions.
Judy O'Donnell, Hawaii, USA

Even though we may not live in the same country or have the same colour skin, through this tragic death of Diana, we all became one in grieving.
Connie Tan, Malaysia

The non-stop, time wasted, over spoken conversations about Diana's death only show just how bored Britons are with themselves. Of course nothing has changed.
Jeff Olenar, USA

For the country as a whole I do not think that there are any real changes because of Diana's death. However, at a personal level, I am sure everybody is deeply affected in one way or another. Witnessing her marriage, her ups and downs, and her tragic death makes everyone reflect on his/her own life and the purposes of it. Diana is undoubtedly in more than one way the most influential person of our generation.
Tom Lau, Canada

My client, April MacFadden, a world-renowned Metaphysician predicted the death of the beloved Princess Di on Jan. 10, 1997 while being interviewed on radio. Now MacFadden has growing concern about a possible health threat to either one or both of her children. The threats will come in less than three months. It is vital that these children are protected at any extreme.
MacFadden is known for her predictions on world affairs. On Sept. 17, 1997 she made a prediction during an interview with an ABC affiliate about the death of Kennedy.
April MacFadden's concern continues to grow for Prince William and Prince Harry. MacFadden voices this concern in an effort that any potential tragedy may be diverted.
Angela Thomas, USA

The only change at least in appearance is the way Prince Charles and other Royals conduct themself with the public but you have to question if they are sincere or acting only for public approval. It seems now they use Diana's name everytime they open their mouth. It's disgusting the way they use her now. I hope the English people will not be fooled by it.
Susan Lance, USA

Despite what the media would have us believe, her life and death are of little consequence to anyone.
Andrew Oakley, UK

Diana's death has changed Britain in the sense that myth of the infamous "stiff upper lip" has been very powerfully rebutted by the public's outpouring of grief over her death.
Cheryl Leong, Malaysia

Her impact on public life was limited, in spite of her celebrity status, so her passing will not produce any permanent changes. As time goes by, the controversy surrounding her life will put popular recollection of her in perspective.
Anna L, USA

Yes, the Monarchy especially as it now recognizes (hopefully) that the public expects it to be normal.
Wambui Kimathi, Kenya

Diana's death has not changed Britain. What it did was highlight a previously unseen wave of hysteria that is extremely worrying. People now live in a hightenned state of angst and are constantly looking at ways of expressing themselves. It merely reflects the "me, me" society.
David Scott, UK

It seems to have become almost a morbid obsession with the media! It's about time we showed some respect and let her memories be.
Ruchir Bakshi, USA

In spite of all the public wailing and hand-wringing, the general public really don't care that they helped to hound the woman to a tragic death. If they did care, they wouldn't still be buying The Sun, The Mirror and the other tabloids. So no, I don't think Diana's death has changed Britain.
Mathew, USA

Diana's death did change Britain. Obviously it has changed the monarchy's stiff upper lip. It shredded the lives of the young prince's, and it put Charles back into the spotlight, which is where he likes to be.
Profiting from the late Princesses death has been a hot topic, but I am suprised that no one has bothered pointing out that Charles is the one that is profiting the most.
Janell, USA

The reaction to Diana's death has shown in stark contrast the spiritual vacuum that exists in UK PLC. Is it possible that reflection on Diana's death can raise our eyes beyond one unique individual, to see that there's a God who offers love and life to all?
Tim Page, UK

Diana's death meant too much to the people for the British not to reflect upon themselves.
Susan, USA

No, Britain was changing anyway. Diana's death had nothing to do with, for example, the election of Tony Blair, the European Union or even the new tails on British Airways aircraft. However, Diana's death did shine a bright light into some rather creepy, perhaps somewhat neurotic, corners of the British psyche, such as the excessive, public expressions of "grief". Was it really grief or was it something else for which the death of Diana provided an outlet?
Barrie Martindale, Canada

Britain cannot change as a consequence of Diana or anyone else.
Alan Clayton, Scotland

Britain has become a better place since that tragic event in the summer. How could anyone fail to be touched by Diana's death. It's just a shame we don't think like that all the time, but it's my belief that Britain will be more careful how it treats other human beings from now on.
Janet Marsh, Harrow, London

I think the death of Diana, Princess of Wales undoubtedly had a huge affect. But I think the affect will be shortlived, if it isn't already over. I don't think we are a more compassionate society as a result, I just think it was an opportunity for a lot of people to let out some emotion. May be I'm too cynical but I think Britain is just the same .. people will still be cruel and heartless and the press will eventually return to its ways. Just wait till Prince William gets photographed kissing a girl .. what newspaper will be able to stop themselves.
Philippa Adam, England

I can only hope that all of us have taken the tragedy of Diana's death, learned from her selfless example of charity and good works, and improved upon ourselves.
Mary Green-Hollas, USA

Britain was changing before the death of Diana, and still is. People are becoming more aware of themselves, of their emotions, and of the world around them. The reaction to Dianas death was just a part of the process of emotionally maturing, as was the removal of the Conservative Party in the summer. Platitudes and prejudice have no part in our new society, though it is true that unfairness and inequality will be with us for some time to come.
Daniel Polwarth, UK

It made people stop and think short term, but similar things happen every day to families in a position less able to pick themselves up. In the long term it will be no more than a sad and tragic memory.
M Brimacombe, UK

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