5 times Diana broke royal protocol
His rise to international stardom as a philanthropist and glamor icon was strongly rooted in his approachable demeanor, kindness and rebellious spirit. In doing so, she made the royals more accessible. It influenced the way royals like Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex interact with the public and the press today.
Here are five times Princess Diana broke royal protocol.
1. Diana omitted the word “obey” from her wedding vows
But when Diana, 20, married Prince Charles, 32, in 1981, she decided to remove the word “obey” from her vows, breaking royal precedent. Instead, Diana said she would “love him, comfort him, honor him and keep him sick and healthy.”
The original sentence is taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer of 1662, which does not include the word “obey” in the husband’s vows to his wife. Even Princess Elizabeth took a vow to obey her husband, which would be technically impossible when she later became Queen.
2. A royal education outside the palace walls
3. Demystifying the stigma surrounding HIV / AIDS
One of the most iconic parts of Diana’s legacy was her involvement in the HIV / AIDS epidemic.
At the time, it was controversial as many mistakenly believed that the virus could be transferred through touch. This illustration of compassion and empathy for those affected by HIV / AIDS sent a clear message that if a member of the royal family isn’t afraid to touch an AIDS patient, then no one else should. do it. The scene was performed all over the world.
Four years later, First Lady Barbara Bush joined Diana at the clinic to visit patients, proving the Princess of Wales had strong political influence across the pond.
âThe memorial has done a lot of good,â said Diana’s brother Charles, the ninth Earl Spencer. “She didn’t go for the soft option. She didn’t go for the conventional charitable ideas that appealed to others.⦔
4. Modern fashion choice
Princess Diana has repeatedly broken royal protocol in her fashion choices, opting for more modern and relaxed pieces.
5. Ran barefoot at a school event
This light-hearted moment captured at one of Prince Harry’s school events once again highlighted the Princess of Wales’ appetite for fun and competition. She was publicly a more involved parent than previous royal generations. She took her sons skiing, the beach, water parks and even car races.
CNN’s Megan C. Hills and Jack Guy contributed to this report.