Picture a princess. What image comes to your mind? Something out of a Disney movie, right? Carriages, designer dresses, star-studded balls, and monumental weddings are some of the aspects that depict the mainstream image of royalty. Now picture a princess…in a war zone. In early 1997, Princess Diana of Wales found herself standing beneath the pungent Angolan sun, away from the luxuries and gala events, where she cast off her royal attire for protective body armor and a visor. Princess Diana of Wales shed a momentous light on one of the most unnoticed atrocities of the African continent: landmines. That single action of hers, on that day, still resonates for us today, long after her untimely death.
Darkness had fallen on the lives of many innocent African communities. As disputes between villages turned into wars, public areas were replete with tragedy and death. In the mid-1990’s, three-dollar weapons called landmines were terrorizing the innocent—claiming twelve thousand civilian lives and causing the highest number of amputees in the world. Landmines are placed during these armed disputes, concealed underground to destroy or disable enemy targets.1 Although the armed combats in Angola had ended, the war “debris” continued to threaten people’s safety. People were dying regularly from leftover landmines, but few outside Angola knew anything about them. These mines would remain “live” for years, even decades, waiting for unsuspecting victims, as per their design, causing unimaginable suffering and pain.2
The African people were in desperate need of a solution. They needed a defender. Their cry for help was heard, reaching the gates of Kensington Palace. It was none other than Princess Diana—keen philanthropist and self-proclaimed Queen of Hearts—whose life purpose had become to shed a humane light on controversial issues such as AIDS and homelessness. “I’d read the statistics that Angola has the highest percentage of amputees anywhere in the world. That one person in every 333 had lost a limb, most of them through land mine explosion.”3 The moment Princess Diana became aware of this neglected tragedy, she knew exactly what she needed to do: take immediate action. “I have all this media interest, so let’s take it somewhere where they can be positive and embrace a situation which is distressing like this.”3 In early January 1997, she flew to Angola along with the Red Cross and a BBC camera crew.
A fearless Diana put herself in the midst of one of the most dangerous places in the world, thousands of miles away from the royal guard, protected solely by a riot helmet and a flak jacket given to her. Accompanied by local anti-landmine activists, she was taken to see a land-mine clearing operation in Huambo, central Angola.5 This was a royal, who spent a large part of her life in luxurious settings being served by others, who was personally stepping into filthy fields to deactivate mines, serving those whose lives were shattered by the deadly weapons. As she pushed the button to detonate a single mine, she uttered the words “One down, 17 million to go.”6
After the cameras stopped rolling, Diana didn’t. The fight to ban antipersonnel landmines became a personal crusade, one that would fill the last year of her life.7 She made this clear in the last speech she ever delivered, stating, “The more expeditiously we can end this plague on earth caused by the landmine, the more readily can we set about the constructive tasks to which so many give their hand in the cause of humanity.”8 This public light shed by Diana brought nothing but success, influencing countries to come together to pledge millions of dollars to tackle the destruction caused by landmines, as well as bringing 122 governments from around the world to contribute to the passage of the Ottawa Mine Treaty. Landmines are still an issue of global concern, but Diana remains the most influential face of anti-landmine activism.
- Isebill V. Gruhn, “Land Mines: An African Tragedy,” Journal of Modern African Studies, no. 4 (December 1996): 688. ↵
- Stuart Maslen, Mine Action after Diana: Progress in the Struggle Against Landmines (London: Pluto Press, 2004), 15. ↵
- Heart of the Matter: Diary of a Princess, directed by Karina Brennan (UK: BBC, 1997). ↵
- Heart of the Matter: Diary of a Princess, directed by Karina Brennan (UK: BBC, 1997). ↵
- Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security, 2004, s.v. “Unexploded Ordnance and Mines,” by Mike Lambert. ↵
- Johnna Rizzo, “How Princess Diana Crippled The Case For Land Mines,” Newsweek, Oct. 24, 2015. ↵
- Johnna Rizzo, “How Princess Diana Crippled The Case For Land Mines,” Newsweek, Oct. 24, 2015. ↵
- Diana, Princess of Wales, “Responding To Landmines: A Modern Tragedy And It’s Consequences” (keynote address, Mines Advisory Group and the Landmine Survivors Network, London, June 12, 1997). ↵
82 comments
Amanda Figueroa
I have heard of the minefield before and how it has caused so much death to innocent African communities. However, I had never heard of Princess Diana visiting them. This is the first time reading about her doing something like this and I think it just shows how truly brave she was and how she was for the people and not just an image. This article was written very well in order to explain her journey and how she made an impact.
Cherice Leach
We all know of the tragedies that African countries face; famine, AIDS, horrible living conditions, etc. However, this is definitely one thing I have never heard of. This article does a great job of bringing up the controversy of land mines in Angola. This is a horrifying situation to be in but Princess Diana shows her good heart by helping take down some of these land mines. We need more political officials like her in this world.
Grace Bell
This article really gave me a better look at who Princess Diana was and all the things she did for society. She was a true hero to those people and made such an impact on their lives and towards helping them fix things. She really showed her true self and how selfless she was by helping these helpless families out.
Christine Sackey
Very cool article! I knew that she traveled to Africa but I did not know how that event still resonates in today’s times. Princess Diana was more than a princess she was a truly compassionate helper who wanted to help the entire world. I look up to how gracious, transparent, and empathetic she was. By going to warzone herself and putting her life at risk she was able to save thousands from dying. No words can describe how wonderful a princess she was.
Teresa Valdez
I really loved how this article framed a single part of Diana’s life and highlighted it perfectly. In the news, especially recently, we hear about how the princess was a humanitarian and how everyone admired her. We do not hear about what she did. This shed great light on her ability to use her media presence to highlight beyond her daily life, which is what we do today. This article is very well organized. Great job and marvelous topic!
Veronica Spryszynski
Very informative article. Shows that we need to pay attention to other countries no matter how small or poor they are, we can help them improve. It is not fair that children have to live in these conditions especially by war zones and bomb fields, it endangers every life. Diana is role model for everyone, her character with the people of Africa has opened a way that many can follow.
Ashley Tumlinson
This article is very well written and it perfectly shows what Princess Diana was all about. Without a doubt she was seen as a humanitarian. Yes, she looked beautiful in all the dresses and nice clothing but being all about helping the people around the world I think is what portrayed her real beauty – it was brought from the inside out. You did a great job at connecting everything together – including the reader with the time itself.
Zeresh Haman
This article is amazing, it shows the reality of what being a princess actually means. Its not about all the crowns and gowns but about helping the people. Diana is known for being a humanitarian, and this article enhances that. I think this is a beautiful article, and is makes princess Diana even more beautiful. The article is very well written, and connects everything together.
Clarissa Bustamante
I don’t know very much about Princess Diana but reading this article it is truly inspiring how strong and how much fight she had within herself. It is very shocking how a princess would step up and take action herself in order to save everyone else and that is a true hero. she is a great example for if you want to see a change in the world then you should go out and do it yourself.
Evelin Joseph
I don’t have a lot of background knowledge on Princess Diana and her actions, so this article was truly great! I love that she decided to use her ability to spread a message about helping people who really needed it. I never knew that she had taken it upon herself to fight against landmines. Her story and fight were truly inspiring, and I hope to become someone who has such passion and drive as well.