On August 31st, 1997, Princess Diana died in a tragic accident. Often called “The People’s Princess”, Diana was a hero to those living with HIV/AIDS. She was instrumental in negating the stigma that people living with AIDS faced.
By visiting AIDS wards and hugging children who were there, she showed through her actions that you cannot get HIV/AIDS through touch, an ignorant misconception unfortunately too many people at the time believed. Reeling from the tragedy of her untimely death, AHF set up a candlelight vigil to honor Princess Diana and her AIDS efforts.
The procession ended with a memorial service with those affected by AIDS giving their thanks to Princess Diana for her selfless humanitarian efforts.AHF also coordinated a canvas square to be set up at the WeHo Lounge for public to sign in Princess Diana’s honor that was incorporated into panels for the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Residents of the Chris Brownlie Hospice and the Carl Bean House contributed to making the memorial panels.
The next winter, AHF bestowed its annual Treatment=Life Activism Award in Princess Diana’s honor.
Several testimonies from her memorial are included below:
You will always be a“Lady”. Miss you forever. Bless you.
-Terry
Diana, you will always be in our hearts. Eternal love, Lance
Di, you’ll look even prettier with wings.
-FD
May the pain you suffered during life be absolved in your untimely death. You were a humane person in this callous world.
-Stephen
Yesterday a princess, today an angel. Literally queen of all our hearts.
-Ted
To a beautiful and brave woman, loved by everybody and everyone she touched. Rest in peace. Love, Victor & Jeff
Princess Diana, you blossomed from a shy young lady into a kind, gracious, beautiful, and giving human being. You will be missed by all mankind. Much love, Cristina & Minnie.
A life span so short, an impact so vast, we adore you. Be happy forever.
Dear Di, someday I will continue your work fulfilling your dream.
-P.
I think it is so admirable that Princess Di touched so many with HIV at a time when it was not right to be affiliated with this. I appreciate this. For touching the lives of people with AIDS when others wouldn’t. —- Michael Weinstein.
“I think the biggest disease the world suffers from…[is] people feeling unloved. I can give love…I’m very happy to do that and want to do that.”
-Princess Diana, at a London AIDS Hospice in 1985
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