20 years since the world lost its princess
By Tim Kalinowski on August 31, 2017.
tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal Today is the 20th anniversary since Diana, Princess of Wales, succumbed to her injuries in a tragic car accident in Paris after being pursued at high speed by paparazzi on motorcycles. Local member of the Monarchist League of Canada Bill Cocks remembers the sadness and anger he felt that day. “She was royalty, and she didn’t always avoid publicity, but on the other hand she was trying to rebuild her personal life,” he says. “To be hounded as she was through the streets of Paris by paparazzi, and to die as she did, overwhelmed me with feeling of anger and sadness at the time.” Cocks says what he remembers best about the radiant princess was her smile. “She was a beautiful woman, and had a lovely smile,” he says. “And she had very telling eyes. You could always look at her face and her eyes were a giveaway as to her emotions and where she was personally. It is her lovely face I remember the most.” Cocks remembers going down to sign the book of condolences for Princess Diana set out at the Medicine Hat mayor’s office at the time, and feeling a profound sense of personal loss. While still saddened by her passing, Cocks says Diana’s legacy of powerful humanism lives on in her sons William and Harry. “I think her influence over the boys has been remarkable,” he says. “Clearly you can see how much more in touch they are with the society and times in which they live than previous generations of royals. I think they have a real sense of the importance of personal commitment and family. I think they are two fine young men who have causes they support, and fulfill their roles in public life with grace and accomplishment. I think the royal family is in good hands, and we will see that institution continue for at least a couple more generations.” Cocks also credits Diana’s profound influence on changing the way the royal family now interacts with the general public. “I think they realize they can’t be so isolationist,” says Cocks. “You live in palace and you live a very different lifestyle from everybody else, but you have to be in touch in the world around you. I credit Princess Diana for that.” 10
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