Diana’s legacy - Time proves to be the best healer

JUST AS many of the current generation of Munster supporters would like to be able to say that they were in Thomond Park on October 31, 1978, many of those moved to public tears by the death of Diana 10 years ago would prefer to be able to say that they recognised the excesses and did not participate.

It is hard to convey the extent of the British — and Irish — public reaction.

There has been revisionism on a grand scale about the days that followed her death; some say it was hysteria, others say it was nascent republicanism, others say it was criticism of a royal family seen as out of touch and aloof. All of it, though, was informed by tenderness and affection.

Diana’s legacy of work is not substantial, nor are there new affairs or lovers to sustain our interest, so though the next few days may be a last hurrah of sorts, she may finally move from the entertainment pages to the pages of history.

Time is such an effective poultice that even Charles and Camilla have won a place in the affections of British people, a situation unimaginable in the days following the crash in Paris.