Friday, April 29, 2011

Mistaken for a Memorial


I haven't been paying much attention to world news this week but I understand that the television networks are in their "All Royal Wedding All the Time" mode.  And what a great story just out of a fairy tale: handsome prince marries beautiful and accomplished commoner while the world looks on approvingly.  There is a stepmother (although I don't think I'd call her wicked) and a sad, sort of pitiful father who has been sitting around his whole life waiting to become king.

And then there's Princess Diana, never aging, perhaps even more glamorous in death than in life. (In fact, can you imagine her in a mother of the groom dress?) This monument, a replica of the flame on the Statue of Liberty's torch, was given to the city of Paris on the 100th anniversary of publication of the International Herald Tribune in 1989.  But since Princess Diana's 1997 death in a car crash in a tunnel beneath the site (at the intersection of the avenue de New York and the place de l'Alma in the 8th)  it's become an unofficial memorial to her.  When I passed by earlier this week, there were the usual  bouquets, messages of remembrance, and photos, the son the mirror of his mother.  Congratulations on your big day, William.  May you have a long and happy marriage.  And rest in peace Diana.  It seems that he turned out pretty well despite all the drama.



5 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't help but smile when I see tourists flocking the statue thinking it's to commemorate her. Then again, I also see people who know better, climbing down into the tunnel....only slightly dangerous!

Mary Kay Bosshart said...

Thanks for this post. I've only been following the Royal Wedding from a distance, but as a mother I have felt a sense of sadness that Diana isn't here to see that all is well with her sons. I think that one of the main wishes of mothers everywhere is to see their children grow into happy and admirable adults.

Anonymous said...

Thank God! A Paris-based blogger who finally gets it right! You wouldn't believe the number of blogs that cite that flame as a monument to Princess Diana.

Susan said...

The wedding coverage has made me think of Diana's death, too. Here's hoping that Kate will have a happier life as a princess.

Starman said...

We have a British friend in our building, so we're having a Royal party this afternoon.

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