What happened to the condolence books? They swiftly multiplied, that mad week in September 1997. The original four at St James’s Palace had to be increased to more than 40. People queued for hours and often spent many minutes composing their contributions. That’s not even to mention the thousands of similar books organised by councils, embassies and private businesses. The official set were ‘offered’ to the Spencer family. Perhaps they are at Althorp.
Edward White’s Dianaworld, about the phenomenon of the former Princess of Wales, shows an indefatigable resourcefulness. It is not really about the woman herself but about the effect she had on people who never laid eyes on her. White has drawn the line at reading the lachrymose, often crapulous, outpourings in the condolence books – and who can blame him? But he has unearthed contemporary commentary from Spare Rib, the Faversham News, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and countless other publications. These are extremely illuminating, often evincing views that were quickly suppressed after the Princess’s death. I was pleased to be reminded of the widespread horror in early 1997 at how vulgar Diana’s wardrobe had become. Anne de Courcy, observing the white jeans, pumps and gold jewellery, lamented the ‘Sharonisation’ of Diana.
White is also conversant with the atrocious secondary literature. Even to read the titles in the seven-page bibliography is to feel soiled. (Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows.) Everyone except her good friends has written their memoirs – her protection officers, her bodyguard, her psychic healers, her press officers, her most caddish lovers. And, of course, her frightful butler.
But there!
I really neither know nor care
For what the Dear Old Butler thought!
In my opinion, butlers ought
To know their place, and not to play
The Old Retainer night and day!
Dianaworld addresses many areas where the impact of the princess was clear, strange and quantifiable.
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