The story of Princess Diana continues to be the subject of interest among the younger generations and they were probably unaware that the media dubbed Diana in a way that she did not like.
In 1980, Diana Spencer was introduced to the press as the bride of Prince Charles. At only 19 years old, she had to face inordinate media attention that did not stop following her every move.
What was Princess Diana’s nickname?
The British press decided to nickname her “Shy Di” because of her appearance “shy” and introverted personality. However, Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, stated that Diana was not shy at all. In an interview with Vogue, Arbiter commented that the nickname was “inaccurate.”
“I met her about three or four days before the wedding. She had just turned 20. People used to call her ‘Shy Di’ because she kept her head down when she talked to you, but she wasn’t shy. She was conscious of her height and used to keep her head down when she talked to people so they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable and talk to them on their level,” Arbiter said.
Over time, the press began to change their perception of Diana. She had the ability to change the way she was called. “Shy Di” became “Lady Di.” Diana’s activism, charisma, simplicity and glamour made her an international icon and she became “The People’s Princess”.
Diana was a woman very committed to social and humanitarian causes. Her philanthropic work and her fight for human rights will always be remembered.
On August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car accident in Paris with her partner Dodi Al-Fayed.
