Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared her memories of meeting Princess Diana only months prior to the princess’s untimely death at age 36. Curtis described a chance meeting on the set of the film Fierce Creatures, the follow-up to A Fish Called Wanda, which took place at Pinewood Studios in England.
The actress revealed that during a break in filming, she attempted to greet Diana, who had arrived with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, Curtis missed the opportunity as she was delayed returning from the restroom, and Diana was already walking away by the time she reached her.
Following the missed meeting, Curtis wrote a letter to Diana expressing her admiration and explaining her absence, which was delivered to Kensington Palace.
Princess Diana’s Thoughtful Response and Curtis’s Reflection
The day after sending the letter, Curtis received a reply from Diana thanking her and understanding the situation. Diana expressed a hope to meet soon, but tragically, she passed away two months later in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997.
Curtis shared how the news of Diana’s death deeply affected her. She recalled turning off the television after hearing the news and instead picking up a book on insight meditation by Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein. The book highlighted two questions people ask themselves at the time of death:
“Did I learn to live wisely? Did I love well?”
For Curtis, these questions immediately brought Diana to mind.
Admiring Diana’s Courage and Compassion
Curtis reflected on Diana’s difficult marriage to King Charles III and her courage in speaking openly about her struggles. She especially admired Diana’s compassion, such as her courageous gesture of touching the leg of a young man with HIV/AIDS and walking through dangerous minefields.
“I certainly thought that she had learned to live wisely,”
Curtis wrote, emphasizing Diana’s bravery and the genuine care she showed to others despite royal pressures.
In her tribute, Curtis pointed to a photo of Diana with her sons, arms outstretched to welcome them. She praised the way Diana loved her children and the world, suggesting that the princess loved
“in a way a royal person never had.”
Remembering Diana’s Legacy 28 Years Later
Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, also commemorated the 28th anniversary of her passing. He shared images of flowers cut from the gardens of Althorp Estate, Diana’s family home in West Northamptonshire, England, where she is buried on a private island accessible only by boat.
Spencer described the day as “always an impossible day,” underlining the enduring impact of Diana’s death on her family. He revealed during a 2024 appearance on Good Morning Britain that he visits Diana’s gravesite nearly every day, highlighting the deep family connection preserved in this private location.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Emotional Visit to Diana’s Gravesite
In his 2022 memoir Spare, Prince Harry recounted a visit with his wife, Meghan Markle, to Diana’s gravesite on the 25th anniversary of her death. The couple, who married in 2018 and have two children, Archie and Lilibet, marked the occasion with a quiet, personal tribute.
Harry described the difficulty of the visit, noting it was Meghan’s first time at the gravesite and the emotional significance of bringing her “home to meet mum.” He spoke quietly at the gravesite and observed Meghan taking a moment of reflection.
The Enduring Memory of Princess Diana’s Life and Influence
Jamie Lee Curtis’s reflections on her interaction with Princess Diana serve as a reminder of the late royal’s resilience, compassion, and the love she demonstrated for her family and the world. Despite missing a chance to meet in person, Curtis felt comforted by Diana’s character and the meaningful life she led, as captured in the thoughtful correspondence they exchanged.
The ongoing tributes from Diana’s brother and son reinforce her lasting impact on her family and the public, emphasizing the continued reverence for her legacy nearly three decades after her death.
