Princess Diana 1961-1997
Hester Riches, CBC News Online
More than a year after her death, people around the world were still wondering what would be the final legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The immediate and massive outpouring of grief was said to have changed Britain forever. People began talking about a more human face on the monarchy, a more compassionate and open society, and less gossip in the tabloid press.
Nevertheless, the story remained in the headlines: gossip, speculation and a number of photographic tributes. And the legal investigation into the car accident continues in France.
The true impact of Diana's life and death will be debated for many years to come by psychologists, historians, social scientists, royalty-watchers and gossip columnists.
One of the more immediate effects of her death was the flow of money to a memorial fund set up in honour of the Princess of Wales. By mid-December, more than $40 million had been raised in her name for charities.
Many of the charities to benefit from the fund were connected with Diana in her lifetime. They received visits and publicity from the most famous person in the world. They consider her irreplaceable, and are considering a new, celebrity-free future.
A spokesman for a homeless shelter in London says the grief over Diana's death coincided with a great deal of talk about a more compassionate society in Britain. They have hopes of raising funds in the future simply on the merits of their causes, and without the need for celebrity figures.
"That will be a test of us as a society," he said.
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