Voice

I am not a big fan of the Royals. The media surrounding Kate Middleton's wardrobe and Prince Harry's upcoming engagement don't really resonate with my pleb existence, frankly. Although, I will say, Prince George is cute.

However after watching Diana Princess of Wales' series on SBS, 'Diana: In Her Words (2/09/17)', I find that I am unexpectedly humbled. I understand fully that this is a well crafted documentary on her life and triumphs as a teenager turned Royal turned 'humanitarian' and almost-model, however if you if you dare to look past the pomp and prestige, the documentary is also a powerful medium for discussion around mental illness.

The documentary reveals snippets from her own tapes, offering our nearest insight into the suffering and unhappiness that rocked her world, much like in the publication of her biography, Diana, The Real Story.

From the age of nineteen when she was married until the publication of her biography, Diana's voice slowly morphed from a soft, sullen shyness into a bold, brave woman of conviction and character over the course of almost thirty years.

For all the greatness she warranted as a Princess and a decent human being, Diana's overcoming of suicidal behaviour and ideations, depression and bulimia and putting up with a difficult marriage, are undoubtedly some of her greatest life achievements.

I repeat: life achievement.

We live in times where increasing coverage and stories of psychological health and wellbeing are coupled with ongoing stigma and shame around conditions which simply make us human. Achievements however, are not always pay rises and mortgages. They include making it through chemo, standing up for what you believe in, getting over the death of a loved one and much more.

In a world where we are harrassed by the pressure to be perfect and to find a happy ever after, these tales of harrowing human experience are exactly the stories which need to be shared. Her suicide attempts, the bulimia, the isolation she felt in her own life are more relevant than ever, to all of us.

On reading commentary about the documentary, I find it rich for the media to state that these stories should be reserved for the family, as they are "completely inappropriate" and not for public consumption, as it relentlessly continues to obfuscate Princess Diana's life and death.

(http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/07/31/diana-tapes-doco-slammed)

However, after decades of hunting her down, stalking her family and turning millions over rehashing the past, the media's lack of restraint in publicising her entire life story contributed without doubt, to the draining and crippling experience that became her life.

That Diana sought to alleviate and connect with others during her very painful life is a legacy which ought to be appreciated. In the current era where mental illness is rife, Diana's true account of suffering bears significance and warrants much more attention than the gowns, glitz and glamour.

Her life was not perfect, and we would do well to remember her as she wished to be remembered: as a human being, no more immune from human suffering than anyone else.