Remembering Diana, Princess Of Wales, On What Would Have Been Her 62nd Birthday

Jun 30, 2023

Princess Diana was known as the people's princess. No matter how many years have gone by since her untimely passing in 1997, her popularity with the public hasn't waned. If anything, it's grown even stronger as her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have continued to honor her incredible legacy.

Diana was born on July 1, 1961. On the occasion of what would have been her 60th birthday in 2021, William and Harry paid tribute to their mother by unveiling the first official statue of her. Located at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, one of Diana's favorite spots at the residence, the statue was opened to the public so that people could visit and pay their respects in person.

Sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley, the statue depicts Diana with short hair accompanied by three children. In front, a paving stone is engraved with words inspired by the poem “The Measure of Man.” "The figure of Diana, Princess of Wales, is surrounded by three children who represent the universality and generational impact of the Princess’s work," Kensington Palace said regarding the statue’s special meaning.

The statement also continued, "The portrait and style of dress was based on the final period of her life, as she gained confidence in her role as an ambassador for humanitarian causes and aims to convey her character and compassion." 

Although Diana's legacy is wide-ranging — from her iconic sense of style to her ability to buck the rigid royal system — what's most lasting is her kindness and legacy of humanitarian work. In fact, her charitable efforts have been continued by her two sons and their respective wives.

In honor of what would be Diana's 62nd birthday, let's take a look at what made the people's princess so loved by the world.

Still today, Princess Diana is remembered fondly all over the world for her kind-hearted manner and charity work. Diana's early death in 1997 at the age of 36 devastated not only the British royal family but also fans across the globe. In the wake of her passing, memorabilia of her quickly rose to prominence.

According to PEOPLE, Diana celebrated her last birthday alive on July 1, 1997, by attending a gala in London. She took time to greet her fans and supporters who had gathered outside with birthday cards, presents and balloons. It was evident how she earned the moniker “The People’s Princess.”

While there have been lulls of interest, Diana remains a popular person and topic even to this day. Certain events and occasions such as documentaries or Netflix's series "The Crown" keep people interested in everything there is to know about Diana and the tragic tale behind her rise as a beloved British royal family member.

What set Diana apart from the rest was her need to help others. The Diana Award, an organization that honors young people who help to improve the lives of others, was set up to “empower young people to lead that change through a range of initiatives which unlock their potential, inspire action and create opportunities, ensuring that no young person is left out or left behind.”

Among her many charitable efforts, Diana worked with charities, including the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, made strides in helping to break down the stigma of HIV/AIDS, spent time with disabled and ill kids at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and advocated for the homeless.

The statue of Diana's unveiling coincided with what would have been her 60th birthday in 2021. Fans from around the world took to social media to pay tribute to Diana and the new statue. Of course, the most important tribute came from the late princess’ children — William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, who have continued on her incredible legacy of helping others.

"Today, on what would have been our mother's 60th birthday, we remember her love, strength and character — qualities that made her a force for good around the world, changing countless lives for the better,” William and Harry said in their joint statement that accompanied the unveiling of their late mother’s statue. 

One of the reasons Diana's humanitarian work resonated so much with the world was because she went further than other celebrities before her. Instead of just talking about causes she was passionate about, she went to the front lines — literally putting her life at risk by walking through a field of active landmines or spending time sitting with patients with leprosy.

Harry honored his mother's 1997 trip to Dirico, Angola, where she walked through a field of landmines by tracing the same route himself in 2019. He shared a photo of his mother from her trip there before he posted images of himself walking the same path. 

Diana's trip had a direct impact on the region and led to historical change as it helped get the Ottawa Treaty enacted, also known as the Convention Against Anti-Personnel Landmines. 

Honoring his mother on what would have been her 61st birthday, William paid tribute to the most recent recipients of The Diana Award. 

According to PEOPLE, the award honors people for their social action and humanitarian work, as it was something that Diana valued and promoted for much of her life as a royal.

William released a letter congratulating the winners of 2022 and admiring them for carrying on his late mother’s legacy. On official Kensington Palace stationary with William’s standard “W” cipher, William wrote, “You truly are the personification of my mother’s legacy and I know she would be so proud of you all. I believe there’s no better way to celebrate her life and work than through recognizing incredible people who dedicate so much time and effort to helping those around them.”

According to TODAY, Harry also honored the recipients. He shared, “My mother instilled in me, and in all of us, a drive to speak up and fight for a better world.” Harry added, “All of you have kept her voice alive by showing the world how each small action counts, how kindness is still valued and how our world can be better if we choose to make it so."

Charles Spencer — the 9th Earl Spencer and Diana’s brother — also honored his late sister on what would’ve been her 61st birthday with a photo of a stud for the Princess Diana Memorial. “Amazing to think of the enduring impact of a woman who died so young,” the Earl Spencer said.

And on July 1, 1997, Diana would have celebrated her 62nd birthday. There’s no doubt that her memory is with her loved ones on this day. Although Diana is no longer with us, her legacy is as vibrant as ever.

What do you remember most about the late Diana, Princess of Wales? Were you inspired by her charitable ways? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones so they can honor Diana’s memory as well.