The Royal Family and Lady Diana

Task 1

a. Underline the political aims of the marriage between Lady Diana and the Prince of Wales:

The Princess of Wales was able to bring glamour and a capacity to show human sympathy to the Royal family, which absolutely needed to renew its links with ordinary people. In addition, she was supposed to provide a son and a heir.

b. Say what aspects of the Princess' life turned her into the "people princess":

First of all, she was very able to get in touch with common people,as also confirmed by doing a lot of charitable activities, such as visiting AIDS patients but especially her campaign against land mines made her get the appellative "people princess".

c. Quote the parts that reveal the royal family's attitude to Lady Diana:

The royal family had never appreciated Lady Diana, so it did the possible to make her get out of it. Besides, the princess was only considered a means in order to provide a son and a heir.

d. Why did the royal family change their minds about taking part in the funeral?

It had to do that in order to avoid destroying their image and that of Lady Diana, the "people princess"and not to outrage the public opinion. At that time, however, the royal family seemed very unhappy to leave their holiday at Balmoral to take part to the funeral service.

Task 2

In the light of what you have read explain the meaning of the phrase in line 1 "turned into something tense and even dangerous":

The death in a car crash of Lady Diana could be very dangerous for the public image of the royal family, because the princess had taken to it the ordinary people's sympathy, but especially their greetings for the charitable activities carried out. So, thanks to Lady Diana, people were able to feel closer to the royal family.