Like other shocking events, one always remembers where you were or what you were doing at the time. 23-F and the Madrid bombing (for Spaniards like me) and, of course, 11-S and the death of Princess Diana. I was awake at night cradling my sick baby while listening to the radio with headphones, when the news broke. "You won't believe it, sweetheart.... Diana is dead!", I said softly to my kid. R.
Two notable anniversaries of British royal or royal related deaths occurred, both in France and each at almost the same age:
31st August 1422 : 600th anniversary of the death of Henry V, second King of England from the House of Lancaster and heir to the throne of France where he died from dysentery whilst on campaign. He was just a few weeks short of his 36th birthday and had reigned for nine years.His death changed the course of the Hundred Years War between England and France which had been raging on and off since 1337 and heralded the onset of civil war for control of the English crown.
31st August 1997 : 25th anniversary of the death of Diana, former Princess of Wales popularly dubbed "The People's Princess" who was killed in a car crash in Paris. She had just turned 36 years old and her death was the occasion for an outpouring of vast public mourning and consequent controversy for the British monarchy.
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