It’s almost inconceivable Princess Diana has been gone for 25 years.
That there are adults today who cannot comprehend how ubiquitous she was, how important her influence was, how everything she did, said, and wore was pored over, dissected, absorbed.
We were fed an endless diet of everything about her, and we were still always hungry for more.
Everyone of a certain age will always remember where they were when they heard the terrible news 25 years ago today she had died in a car accident in a Paris underpass.
And the memory of the heartbroken days that followed, when it felt like the country was sleepwalking through a nightmare, seem almost unreal now.
That we’re still talking about Diana, thinking, remembering her after so long says everything about who she was and what she meant to so many.
And, of course, it’s hard not to wonder what might have been. What should have been. How different things would be if she were still with us, what she might be doing now…
Family
It’s hard to believe the royal family would be in the mess they are today if Diana were alive. Firstly, she would have been someone Meghan Markle could have been guided by, and perhaps the Sussexes could have stayed in the UK as working royals.
Diana was in the unique position of having full awareness of the celebrity world, and the royal household, and could have provided insight and understanding.
Diana would have understood Harry’s wish to put his family before duty and may have been the mediator between the two sides, negotiating a better arrangement, without so much acrimony.
She would definitely never, ever have allowed the relationship between her two sons to break down to the extent it has, even if it meant banging their heads together.
Diana was emotionally intelligent, and extremely compassionate – she could have ensured all the issues were talked through and resolved.
What a great shame she isn’t here to mend these fences.
The other great shame, and something that is probably endlessly painful for William and Harry, is that Diana would have been the most incredible grandma.
She always loved children, had a natural affinity with them, and they were always drawn to her in return.
She worked as a nanny before she married Charles, and always took time to bend down and speak to them on their level on official engagements.
William and Harry must remember their loving, fun mum, see her sometimes in their children – a look, a mannerism, a smile – and ache for her all over again.
Work
If Diana were around today, she would surely be championing causes and bringing awareness in the way she did with AIDS and landmines.
Giving a voice to those without one, fighting for the underdog, the helpless.
She would have been Facetiming Covid patients in intensive care who were separated from their families, although we probably wouldn’t have heard about it for a long time afterwards, if ever.
She’d be donating to and volunteering in food banks, while face masks were mandatory, often anonymously.
It seems likely she would be involved in women’s issues – speaking out on the overturning of Roe v Wade in America and campaigning for women’s rights.
She, like her daughter-in-law Kate, would have attended the Sarah Everard vigil.
She would have been to Ukraine many times, and would probably have opened her home to some refugees to encourage others to do the same.
Diana would also enjoy being asked to take part in Strictly every year, but always turn it down.
Friends
Never mind hearts, Diana would be the Queen of Instagram, with more followers than anyone else.
Cristian Ronaldo has 475 million - Diana would have scored much higher, as the first to a billion.
In real life, she’d be best friends with Michelle Obama, and also hang out regularly with Beyonce and Malala.
Kris Jenner would be desperate for her to do a social media collab with the Kardashians but Diana would insist the relationship was only about friendship rather than business, turning up to their famous Christmas Eve party every year in an amazing outfit, but only staying for an hour.
She’d also be friends with designer Tom Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emily Maitlis, Kate Moss and Lady Gaga.
Love life
There would have been unconfirmed reports linking Diana to Harry Styles – online fans would dub them Hiana – Idris Elba and Brad Pitt.
Diana would remain tight-lipped, while radiating happiness.
Elon Musk would pursue her aggressively to no avail, although she might let him take her to another planet, but only in the literal sense.
Finally – and remember this is an alternate universe – she would have announced her engagement to notorious bachelor George Clooney, and they would live happily ever after.
Her look
Diana would, of course, look better than ever – if she’d had any cosmetic work done, it would be so expertly performed it was impossible to detect.
Her trademark hairstyle would be tweaked over the years, slight variations in length and colour, but mainly remain the same.
She’d be stylish rather than a slave to trends, as she always was, and everything she wore would, as always, be copied around the world.
She would have put her name to a one-off clothing line, with all proceeds going to charity. Diana would wear classic brands but mix it up with new designers like Ganni and Stine Goya.
Kanye West would send her limited edition Yeezy trainers every season, which she would thank him for, before passing them on to her grandchildren.
