Kate stopped from 'doing anything controversial' as Diana death still limiting royal scope

ROYAL FAMILY members have been steered away from "controversial" public actions in wake of the tragic death of Princess Diana, a royal expert noted.

08:21, Thu, Aug 18, 2022 | UPDATED: 08:23, Thu, Aug 18, 2022

Royal family's actions 'still shaped' by Diana says commentator

With this year set to mark the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, the Daily Express Royal Round Up has reflected on her legacy within the royal family. Diana, Princess of Wales, died in 1997 after sustaining serious injuries in a tragic car crash during a visit to Paris. Daily Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer and host Pandora Forsyth suggested the impact of Princess Diana’s death can be seen in the more reserved approach to royal life taken by the Duchess of Cambridge. The passing of Princess Diana has left a distinct mark on the Royal Family, with younger members of the firm understood to be committed to continuing her often "controversial" charity engagements.

Speaking on the Royal Round Up, Mr Palmer said: “The Royal Family is still shaped by Diana really.

“We see every day, I think, how it changed as a result of her and we see it in the legacy of her two sons and the Diana Award, the charity that was set up.”

Ms Forsyth added: “Obviously all their charity work as well.”

Mr Palmer agreed before he continued: “I suppose it changed our idea of what a princess should be and do.”

Kate Diana

Mr Palmer suggested Kate had not done anything as "controversial" as Princess Diana (Image: GETTY)

royal round up

Pandora Forsyth and Richard Palmer discussed the upcoming anniversary of Diana's death (Image: DAILY EXPRESS)

The royal correspondent added: “We do see that reflected, to some extent, in the activities of the Duchess of Cambridge.

“There were things that were deemed too close to the bone to members of the Royal Family to do before Diana.

“She did them, for example the landmines campaign, and upset quite a few politicians.

“I don’t think Kate has done anything quite as controversial as that.”

royal chairty

Mr Palmer suggested younger members of the royal family had continued Diana's charity work (Image: GETTY)

Diana memorial

On what would have been her 60th birthday, a statue was unveiled of Diana in her memory (Image: GETTY)

Princess Diana took shocking action to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis of landmines left behind by conflicts across the globe.

The Princess was a patron of the HALO Trust, an organisation that worked to remove landmines, among other debris, left behind when wars had drawn to an end.

In 1997, just months before her death. Princess Diana toured one of HALO’s active minefields in Angola, attracting global attention as photographs of her visit were picked up by global media.

The Princess was criticised by political figures for her bold intervention, but shortly after her Angola visit, the Ottawa Treaty was established, calling on nations across the world to commit to a ban on anti-personnel mines.

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Harry and William

Both Prince Harry and Prince William have spoken on their hopes to continue their mother's legacy (Image: GETTY)

In honour of what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday last year, a memorial statue was unveiled in tribute to her at Kensington Palace.

The private ceremony was a rare occasion as both Prince William and Prince Harry were seen together. The brothers have been scarcely seen at royal events since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made the decision to step back from royal duties.

Prince Harry addressed an audience through video link at the Diana Awards ceremony earlier this year, taking the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of his mother’s actions.

The Duke of Sussex said: “There isn’t a day during the past two and half decades where I haven’t thought about the mark she left, not only on me and my brother, but on all of our lives.”