Royals

Princess Diana had ‘sense of destiny,’ dubbed most popular in the Royal family

Princess Diana is branded one of the most popular members of the royal family of all times

Published July 30, 2026
Princess Diana had ‘sense of destiny,’ dubbed most popular in the Royal family
Princess Diana had ‘sense of destiny,’ dubbed most popular in the Royal family

Princess Diana was never understood by the Royal family, says an expert.

The former princess of Wales, passed away in a car accident in Paris 1997, was widely undervalued by in Charles and the rest of the royal institution.

Speaking with People, royal expert and biographer Simon Vigar explained: "[Princess] Diana had a sense of destiny about her. The only aristocrat of the four women [Princess Diana, Queen Camilla, Princess Kate, and Meghan Markle], she knew a lot about it.”

“She grew up [at Park House] on the Sandringham estate and knew the royals, and her big sister [dated] Charles,” said the expert.

He added of Diana: "But she is the biggest changemaker."

"Even simply going to Tower Records on Kensington High Street was something you couldn't imagine the previous generation doing."

Vigar added: "Subjectively, [Diana] brought star power." Unfortunately, the Royal Family "didn't really know what they had," according to the author, but she "outshone them in the end."

Eleen Bukhari
Eleen Bukhari is a London-based journalist and MSc graduate from Brunel University with over five years of experience. Specialising in the British Royal Family and global entertainment, she provides expert analysis of monarchy traditions, celebrity culture, and the evolving media narratives surrounding the world’s most high-profile figures.