and the Culture of Celebrities vs. Paparazzi Living Private Life in the Public Eye Princess Diana

Diana Spencer Royal ancestry, but was considered first common English person to marry into the royal family in generations Families had been friends for many years, became romantically involved after Charles invited to spend weekend with Spencer family at their country estate. Seen as “ideal” candidate for Princess of Wales

Fairy Tale Wedding The couple was a media sensation from the beginning 750 million watched world wide July 29, 1981 was a national holiday in the UK &q=diana+wedding&hl=en

Paparazzi Tabloid culture in UK different London Mirror and Sun Focus on celebrity gossip, sports, and lifestyle Royal family is a major focus Paparazzi snap pictures of Kate Middleton, romantically linked to Prince William

Picture Perfect? With in 4 years, couple had 2 healthy children to the delight of British nation Diana was a public relations wonder for royal family doing charitable work all over the world Press ate it up But it was slowly unraveling…

Rocky Marriage, Tabloid Goldmine -Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles -Press a strain on marriage -Incompatibility? -Both admit infidelity -Very Public divorce -Strained relationship with royal family

“The Crash Heard Round the World” Fleeing from paparazzi in Paris, the car Diana and boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed are riding in crashes in an underpass tunnel killing Diana, Dodi, and their driver. Paparazzi involved in chase capitalize on catastrophe and snap pictures at crash site until the end

“Marathonic Broadcasting” Day-long coverage dominated the media Thousands crowded streets around royal palaces to offer flowers and condolences Royal family criticized for their cold handling of the tragedy Funeral watched by 2.5 billion globally

“Blood On Their Hands?” “I always believed the press would kill her in the end….It would appear that every proprietor and editor that has paid for every exclusive photo has blood on his hands today.” –Charles Spencer The paparazzi were heavily criticized for Diana’s accident, but were cleared of criminal charges. Today the paparazzi remain in the headlines for their constant invasion of celebrity lives. Paparazzi continue to defend themselves claiming that there is a demand and a market for their photos. Actress Lindsey Lohan blamed the paparazzi for a car accident she caused in Los Angelos.

Works Cited “31 August: On This Day.” Retrieved May 5, 2007 from stm stm Davies, Jude. Diana: A Cultural History. New York: Palgrave, Gray, Paula. “Farewell Diana.” Retrieved May 5, 2007 from Kear, Adrian and Deborah Lynn Steinberg. Mourning Diana: Nation, Culture, and Performance of Grief. London: Routledge, Mulvaney, Jay. Diana and Jackie. New York: St. Martin’s Press, “Paparazzi.” Retrieved May 5, 2007 from “Princess Diana-Scene from a Royal Wedding.” Retrieved May 5, 2007 from &q=diana+wedding&hl=en “The Romance that Enchanted the World.” Retrieved May 5, 2007 from Turncock, Robert. Interpreting Diana: Television Audiences and the Death of a Princess. London: BFI Publishing, 2000.