A beautiful princess, an inspiring leader, and a compassionate citizen are terms that describe Princess Diana of Whales, but those attributes didn’t necessarily bring her happiness or contentment.
Was Princess Diana of Whales depressed?
Speculation about Princess Diana’s mental health has surrounded her for decades. Her personal diaries, public interviews and public comments to friends and family give insight into her state of mental health during her years as the Princess of Whales. According to research and commentary in A Tribute to the People’s Princess by Peter Donnelly, depression was a factor in Princess Diana’s struggle to maintain a healthy outlook on life. Donnelly focuses on several factors that influenced Princess Diana’s struggle with bulimia and her battle with emotional stability.
Prince Charles Made Matters Worse
Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles began to deteriorate in the latter half of the 1980’s. Shortly after the birth of Prince Harry, Prince Charles began to criticize and demoralize Princess Di with words and actions that caused her to go into a state of depression. The couple began fighting in public and began a lifestyle of separate living. As a result of the emotional strain, Princess Diana started to battle with the disease, bulimia. Due to Princess Diana’s sensitive and expressive personality, she was unable to stifle her hurt and disappointment over the failed marriage. This caused Princess Diana to enter a difficult battle with depression.
The Palace was Too Small for Two Lovers
Prince Charles had on on-going and long lasting relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. The love affair was not publicly praised, and Diana was well aware of the negative effects it was having on her marriage. Even though the world loved and adored Princess Di, Prince Charles had his affections set on another woman. As a result, Princess Diana felt scorned, rejected, and humiliated. For the Princess of Whales, most of 1988 was spent under the care of a renowned psychiatrist who helped her address her gorging and food rejection, often associated with bulimia. Her internal turmoil, depression, struggle with bulimia, and insecurity took a toll on her life. The once happy go lucky young woman had now become the depressed and lonely princess.
Expectations were Impractical
Princess Diana was in the spotlight on every occasion and during every event, and the public loved her. Her compassion and charm radiated throughout the crowds, and her celebrity appeal gave her instant approval. The royal household resented Princess Diana’s public appeal that made people adore her and despise other members of the staunch Whales family. The royal family began placing expectations on Princess Diana, forcing her to appear reserved, somber, and stodgy. The royal family expected Princess Diana to look like the royal image they had all come to represent. Princess Diana sank into a lonely and depressed state that was only relieved once she left the royal family.
Princess Diana battled with depression for nearly a decade and her mental health deteriorated during her years spent with Prince Charles and the royal family.
Donnelly, Peter. A Tribute to the People’s Princess. Courage Books, 1997.
