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From The Sunday Times
October 14, 2007

Diana’s dead, get over it

Rachel Johnson

This inquest has not been without its moments, I admit. The way that Princess Diana’s soft, flicky blonde hair gleamed in the flashbulbs like a priceless gold helmet under a museum spotlight has been very thought-provoking - in the sense that it made me wonder for ages whether the princess had a blow-dry. Or a wash and a blow-dry, and, if so, what kind of conditioner was used?

The footage of the princess and Dodi Fayed in the lift was also revelatory, in the sense that one really did get the whiff of intimacy from the couple, so far as one can tell from 10-year-old grainy CCTV footage, anyway. I wouldn’t go so far to say that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other in public (no need to shout “get a room” at Dodi, the man with the whole Paris Ritz in his gift), but they were close and affectionate.

But otherwise, it’s left me cold. And everyone else I know. Ten years after she died, we are all bored and irritated by the fact that the insatiable grief and limitless funds of one bereaved father can hold a whole country to ransom like this. Please, I want to howl as I see yet another front-page blurry photograph of the princess shielding her beautiful face from the paparazzi, can’t we all move on, a little?

I was as soppy about Diana as anyone else when she was alive, and boasted about the one time I glimpsed her across a crowded room at the Brazilian ambassador’s for years on end.

When she died, I felt hollow, numb, as if I had lost someone close to me. I was in Washington DC on the day of Diana’s funeral and I don’t mind admitting that I got up at 3am - or so I recall – to watch it in full, hour after hour, until the flower-strewn cortege had reached the gates of Althorp and I had no tears left to cry.

But now, we’ve all seen the images of Dodi and Diana leaving that revolving door repeated ad nauseam, after the princess has changed from her linen suit and blouse into white trousers, loafers and blazer, that we could scream.

Diana was a blonde icon whose death shocked the world, like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, but there is, in her case, a limit to the mystique, for one simple reason: as the longest and most expensive investigations into a road traffic incident in any jurisdiction have both concluded, one in the UK and one in France, Diana’s death was a tragic accident and all allegations of conspiracy made since her death are without foundation.

End of story.

There is another sad sign that Diana-fatigue, despite the best efforts of newspapers such as the Daily Express, whose older female readers love Diana as their own, is growing.

The public marquee at the Royal Courts of Justice, where the inquest is being heard, was erected to house 150 slavering Dianaphiles and conspiracy theorists. It has given shelter to only a couple of dozen souls daily. The media pack covering the death of “the most hunted person of the modern age”, as her brother put it so bluntly at her funeral, has dwindled from 100 to a third of that.

One would think there would be more interest, given the fact that the list of 20 “likely issues” that Lord Justice Scott Baker is investigating is as loony as you like, from 1) whether driver error on the part of Henri Paul caused the collision (oooh, now that’s a tricky one), to 16) the circumstances in which the princess’s body was embalmed, to 20) those stolen letters between the princess and Prince Philip.

But interest seems to be limited to those who are paid to cover the story and their publications, the obsessives, the nuts and the ghouls.

I hardly believe I am typing these words, but for me, the inquest really came alive, really caught fire, when Posh rocked up at the Ritz. Victoria Beckham transparently left the Ritz’s main entrance in teetering heels and one of her skin-tight minidresses at the exact moment the jurors – attended by press, gendarmerie, and all the panoply of Her Majesty’s coroner – descended on the hotel en masse, in only the second overseas trip by an English jury.

It was a fabulous “the roi is dead, long live moi” moment but what was almost shocking about it was just how easily Posh – the skinny butt of so many unkind critics – stole the scene from Di.

Hate to say it, but when it comes to a living, breathing, publicity-hungry celebrity and an icon that has been in the grave 10 long years, there’s a genuine competition for our attention in these shallow times. And as for all those born after July 29, 1981 – well, I doubt they’ve given poor Princess Diana a second thought.

* * * * * * * *

I was walking past a resaurant where, lately (ie, this year) I had dinner with a friend. I sent her a text, thinking it would be nice to catch up.

"Got back after a month in New York this week," she replied within seconds, tersely (ie, ignoring the convention that e-mails and texts must come complete with snail trails of kisses and worse, emoticons). So I pinged one back saying, let’s have coffee. She didn’t reply.

I spent the day wondering whether I was off her Christmas card list . . . whether I had said something - in low-level anxiety, in other words.

That evening, I saw a well-known writer friend. We immediately started talking about the etiquette of time-sapping social networking sites and what to do when someone you don’t know, who you have no friends in common with, grimly wants to be your “Facebook friend”.

I said that I ignored them. He said he generally did likewise, but now he hesitated.

“When I declined this stranger, who had repeatedly asked to be my friend, he sent me all these messages saying things like, ‘Who are you, you twerp, who do you think you are, just because your book was a bestseller, you effing, snotty arsehole’.”

Gosh, I said, impressed. Then I realised that my own response to my own friend’s lack of response to my own text that morning was, in its way, just as toddlerish and disproportionate.

When we use instant methods of communication, we expect an instant response, and when we don’t get it, we don’t like it.

When we don’t reply to someone, it’s because we’re busy or we forgot. But when someone else forgets to reply to us, of course, it’s because they’re damned rude, or worse, they’re just not that into us. Boo hoo!

Between Facebook, and mobiles, and texting, and e-mails, there’s endless opportunity for upset. The more modes of communication there are, of course, the greater the scope for paranoia, and unintended insult.

On that note, cu nxt wk. Oops, I almost forgot. xxxx

Spot on, Alice of Aldershot!

Archie, Thrapston, England

My son was killed whilst at work and the only passenger in a car in collision with an oncoming Lorry. I was advised that the inquest was concerned with 4 questions only ie who, when, where and HOW. The first 3 are invariably simple and routine. The last is specific and is not concerned with blame since that is up to another court if necessary.

The 'rules' of inquest in this case have been stretched beyond the realms of decency probably due to royalty, riches and celebrity rather than a search for the truth.

At my son's inquest I was not even allowed to ask questions relating to the driver of the only other vehicle involved and of his employer re the measures taken under Health & Safety law to protect him whilst at work.

It appears the rules restricting my questions were different to those which allow the legal representatives and so called 'witnesses' to discusss her 'lovers' and contraceptives as if that were material to HOW she died.

This inquest is a disgrace.

Alan Hodgkinson, Scalford, UK

Firstly as a blonde (natural, not bottle!) may i say how cheesed off i am by the constant referral to Diana as a blonde, she was NOT a blonde, she was simply one of many women in this country whose hair colour comes from a bottle. Secondly, if the truth were spoken, she was nothing but a very well paid baby producing machine for the monarchy, or to put it in words that I personally would be more comfortable with, she was a bought woman! Whilst she was producing heirs to the throne and doing nothing more than a bit of sycophantic fawning over her owner she was tolerated and allowed to live a life of disgusting opulence and parasitism. but once she began to show the true side of her character she became a liability and had to go. To use those unfortunate enough to have become infected with HIV to boost her campaign to become this countrys answer to Mother Theresa, frequently left me on the point of vomiting. Her death was of less import to me than that of Myra hindley!

Stefan Kruis, Hyde, Cheshire

Poor Diana.
Yes, but poor Charles, William, Harry and the rest of the world.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.
Didn't the poet say that the death of any one man or woman diminishes oneself?
Let us accept that we are all somewhat diminished.

Sarah, Luzern, Switzerland

Well said Rachel!!! Lets hope your message gets to every other journalist.

I never understand why the paparrazi are needed in the first place. How sad do you have to be to really want so see a photo of Princess Di, Victoria Beckham or Britney Spears walking from a hotel door to a car in the fist place??

Luke, London, UK

if the nation did, and still apparently does, mourn for her then i can safely say that i am not even a small part of the nation.

any predictions about what the frontpage of the express will be tomorrow? i'm thinking maybe a picture of diana, or even of madeleine...

james, london, england

Only 3 people in the Wales's marriage Devenish Bennett? I think not. How about Will Carling, James Hewitt etc. My (now ex-)husband had a 10-year affair (started when I was pregnant with our longed-for first child) but it didn't make me sleep around.


Jayne Hills, Exeter,

I didn't care about her when she was alive, I disliked her. I didn't give a stuff when she died, the whole grief of a nation was drivel and incredibly annoying. She didn't touch my life in any way other than proving to be highly irritating with her mainpulative low cunning. Lots of people die and leave families behind, the vast majority in a far less confortable situation than hers.

I can't believe people fell for her claptrap when she was alive, the fact they still believe in her rubbish years later show just how guilable people are.

Alice, Aldershot, UK

Who killed the Little Princes in the Tower? Investigation incomplete.

Paul Cooper, Prague, Czech Republic

"Diana's dead. End of story"

This 'story' would only end if the media stops publishing it. You can't have it both ways.

And a message to Mr Al Fayed:

Justice cannot prevail because - foxes are investigating a hen house slaughter.

Mohammed, London, UK

Yeah all this talk of Diana is getting boring; please can we go back to blathering on about Posh 'n Becks ad infinitum?

Richard Sullivan, London, UK

God, get off you high horse dear.

If ever you lost one of your children and you felt a hint of suspicion, you would do everything possible to wipe it away from your mind. Al Fayed has every right to be suspicious, and hopefully once this case has been finalised, he can rest this case and 'move on.'

This is extremely insensitive. It's the paper's fault - exactly the paper you work for too. If you don't want to see the images, make sure the people at the top don't print them and let this case go on and find a remedy itself without the media intrusion and constantly printing different images.

But no, the papers need to make money so they will print the new pics. Perhaps you should stick to reading Hello or something if you can't convince the papers you work for to stop printing the pics.

Ali, Surrey, Kent

Does the public really crave every iota of Dianiana
or is it the press just thinks it does. This just in...Diana is still dead and likely to remain so. Give it a rest.

Bruce L. Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Yeah, I agree. Very tragic though life doth go onward everyday.

WGRhodes, Lovely Bonaire, Georgia

If you cared for Princess Diana the way you say you did you'd want to know the truth. Look at Wallis Simpson, did people know the whole truth about that or any other event with the royals before 50 years had passed???
I think she was murdered but the truth may never come out. I applaud Al Fayed for his tenacity. If it were my son I'd want to know the truth too and would never give up. And the world deserves to know just what kind of treachery the royals get up to!

Maureen, Montreal, Quebec Canada

Diana's death is an industry.There is so much money to be made that it will continue to reappear periodically to keep the coffers full.It's a sad commentary on human nature.

ron, toronto,

Diana — the truth at last? No, I don't think so, THEY (murders) will never be caught. They are VIPS. The level of alcohol reported to have been found in Henri Paul's blood was not consistent with his sober demeanour, as captured on CCTV. CCTV solved James Bulger's case and put to rest Menezes's case lies (poor JC de Menezes, witnesses claimed 'incorrectly' that he was wearing bulky clothing and that he had vaulted the ticket barriers running from police). Why did the French government blatantly reject the immediate offer of Daimler Benz (Daimler-Benz keeps teams of specialists available to examine any of its products involved in fatal crashes, company sources said) to send engineers to assess the accident? So Daimler-Benz engineers were refused permission to examine the wreckage. So, RF (Charles and Philip) will be inextricably linked to Diana's murder. FOREVER….! Royal Family is more boring than ever!

Sirieh, Falklands, UK

I think Diana should be allowed to rest in Peace, especially for the sake of the Princes. However I do not think this was an accident, but I do not think we will ever know. But if it was not an accident we should know

mike, Paphos, Cyprus

Don't want to hear about Diana? Then don't read the papers. You can turn it off at your own accord. Too many details are fishy in this so called "accident". If it were one of your loved ones, no matter how long they'd been "in the grave" as you put it, you'd be yelling for an inquest and want to get to the truth too.

Laura C, Milwaukee, WI

I am just as sick of hearing about Posh Beckham who is always in the media with far less reason than Lady D
The Bangles were a female group
Bananarama likewise and Heart and their music is played today and when do you hear Spice Girls? Never, because they were cobbled together group of mediocre girls aimed at the 12 year old market. Let's all forget Victoria B too, that's the unkindest cut of all.

billcarr, turku, finland

I will agree with the nation.. It is sad that Diana died, but let her lie! She was an icon and still can be. Please stop digging up her grave.

Vicky, Maidstone, UK

I'm afraid that anyone 'sick of hearing about Diana' had better put a) their fingers in their ears and b) up with it, because it just isn't going to go away. Diana has joined that small select group, including Marilyn Monroe and JFK, who will be talked about, written about and about whom sensational new facts and evidence will appear about every 5 years or so. Such is the nature of this media driven age. And I believe Posh is disliked so much because it's her image, by and large, which has replaced Diana's in the media.

Jane Coles, Ludlow, UK

Ms.Johnson is absolutely right: move on. Otherwise, is like been grieving Anne Boleyn`s death.

Dino Starcevic, San Jose, Costa Rica

Personally, I think the time to move on was about 9-1/2 years ago.

Denise, Washington, DC, USA

its funnny how you all say it's time to get over it, but you know you wouldnt be sayin that if it were someone in your family that you loved.

amanda, cape coral , fl, usa

How I hate other people who tell me what to feel and think, i'll make up my own mind thank you very much!

Darcy, london, uk

A fascinating details emarged in yesterday's Diana inquest. The presumed white Fiat Uno had slowed to 20 mph, before the Alma tunnel; waiting for Diana's car to catch up at the tunnel entrance? Intriguing.

Howard, Johannesburg, South Africa

Agreed. TIme to move on everyone!

Rob, Lodon, UK

"Stone me" as Hancock would say. First of all Rod Liddle does it and now Rachel Johnson does the same thing. They both pretend to want everyone to get over the Diana obsession but fill up their colums with exactly that. It's the oldest trick in the book.

doug George, Antibes, France

It was a car accident. The only one who wore a seat belt survived, the other three died.

Get over it, stop using her image to sell papers and magazines. Make her patron saint of florists if you wish, but please let her rest in peace.

Ian Woodrow, Ponteland, Northumberland

Wonderful article - every point is spot on!

Rich, London,

You might be sick-but any British subject who died like that is entitled to an inquest.Only the establishment could make a car accident look like a conspiracy-from the moment she died a decade ago the response was ham-fisted,clumsy,and brainless.Then we have a memorial service after a decade! It wont matter much what the juries verdict is - this is gong to run for ever,so get used to it.There are always going to be three people in the Wales' marriage.

Devenish Bennett, Exeter, U.K.

It's ridiculous all this nonsense , the French investigated. Britain had an investigation, and now
the country is having another investigation into what was a traffic accident . The real serious thing about this is the tax payer pays.

Barry Holmes, Christchurch, New Zealand

Sick of hearing about Diana! Go Away!

Doug Wilder, Eden Prairie,

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Rachel Johnson

Rachel Johnson has written for among others, the Daily Telegraph, the Spectator, the Evening Standard and Easy Living, and is author of The Mummy Diaries and Notting Hell. She is married with three children and lives in London. Her column appears weekly in The Sunday Times.

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