An enigmatic member of the British royal family, Princess Diana captured the hearts of millions worldwide in both her life and her death, and remains just as iconic today. On the 20th anniversary of her passing, Smithsonian Channel will honor the "People's Princess" with an exclusive royal event commemorating the woman at the center of immense public fascination. The two specials detail the life and death of Diana and illustrate how the public's and media's obsession with her not only served as a catalyst for the fatal car crash that took her life, but also played a major role at her funeral and has lasted well after her untimely death. DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI premieres Sunday, August 27 at 8 PM ET/PT, followed by DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE at 9 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.
The most photographed woman in the world from 1985 until 1997, Diana suffered from constant hounding from paparazzi, but she also brilliantly used the press limelight to her own advantage, to promote the charitable and humanitarian causes that she cared so passionately about. DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI follows her attempt to strike this balance before, unsuccessfully, trying to retire from public life in an effort to curb the
RELENTLESS trail of photographers and reporters cataloging her every move. The special features interviews and footage of Diana's personal friends, security and staff as well as the paparazzi that photographed her, including some who were present at the scene of her fatal car crash just seconds after impact. This special brings viewers right up against the lens that Diana was so often photographed through, showing how the incessant chasing by paparazzi forever changed her life and factored into her death.
A televised event viewed by over 2 billion people worldwide, Diana's funeral became the focal point of a nation in grief and provided a stunning tribute to their princess. DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE, narrated by Kate Winslet, recounts the day of her funeral from the experiences of guardsmen, reporters, pallbearers and more as they share the sights and sounds of that day, some speaking publicly about the day for the first time. This special takes viewers on
THE JOURNEY of the cortege from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey through the
CROWDED streets of mourners in London and hears from those who witnessed the procession pass by on that otherwise idyllic September morning. It was the world's love for Diana that made her funeral one fit for the final goodbye of the "People's Princess." The special also reveals how one of the funeral's signature moments - Elton John singing "Goodbye England's Rose" - almost didn't happen, because officials at Westminster Abbey objected to the lyrics of the original, "Candle in the Wind."
Smithsonian Channel will also premiere a four-part series on Sunday, August 13 at 8 PM ET/PT, INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE. The series goes behind-the-scenes in the largest and longest-occupied castle in the world. It is far more than just a castle and a home; for nearly 1,000 years it has been the stage on which some of the biggest names in British history have plotted, planned and executed their most controversial deeds. Windsor has seen countless royal births, deaths and marriages, and has withstood numerous sieges and battles. With gripping dramatic reconstructions, intimate interviews and revealing archive footage, INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE uncovers the truth about Britain's most famous family and castle.
DIANA AND THE PAPARAZZI was produced by Charles Thompson with executive producer Bernard Clark of TVT Productions Ltd. John Cavanagh, Charles Poe and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.
DIANA: THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE was directed by Leslie Woodhead and produced by Lorraine McKechnie, with executive producer Sue Summers of Finestripe Productions Ltd. Charles Poe and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.
INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE was produced by Paul Nelson of Red Planet Pictures (Entertainment) Ltd., with executive producers Philip Clarke and Simon Raikes. Joy Galane serves as executive producer for Smithsonian Channel.
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