Jamie Lee Curtis Reveals Princess Diana’s Touching Letter Before Her Death

Jamie Lee Curtis revealed a deeply moving encounter she had with Princess Diana shortly before the royal’s untimely death. The actress, known for her role in Freaky Friday, explained how she missed meeting Diana and her sons Prince William and Prince Harry during their visit to the United Kingdom on the set of her 1997 film Fierce Creatures. Curtis later received a heartfelt letter from Diana, which made the experience unforgettable.

The letter came after a missed opportunity when Jamie was filming at Pinewood Studios. In an Instagram post dated September 1, Curtis recounted,

“We were shooting at Pinewood deep into the forest there,”

and described how she hurried back to meet Diana but just missed her.

“When we finally took a break, I jumped in a golf cart and drove the mile back to the dressing room block to use the restroom. My driver started banging on the door, saying that she had arrived with her sons and I jumped into the golf cart and by the time I got back, she was walking away and I wasn’t going to chase her to tell her how much I admired her.”

The Meaning Behind Diana’s Letter to Jamie Lee Curtis

After missing the chance to meet Diana, Jamie Lee Curtis wrote a letter to the princess, which was delivered to Kensington Palace. The response came the following day, with Diana thanking her for the understanding about the missed meeting. Curtis shared Diana’s reply, saying,

“I received one back from her, thanking me for writing and understanding, of course, nature calling as it happens to her all the time and that she looked forward to meeting.”

This exchange gained even greater poignancy after Diana’s sudden death just two months later on August 31, 1997, resulting from injuries sustained in a car crash in Paris alongside her partner Dodi al-Fayed. Princess Diana was 36 years old.

Curtis recalled her reaction to the news with emotional clarity, stating,

“I had just returned from England, I remember watching the news and then turning it off knowing what the news would do and the recurring shots of that tunnel.”

Reflecting on Diana’s Legacy of Compassion

Despite the heartbreak caused by Diana’s tragic loss, Jamie Lee Curtis reflects deeply on the princess’s significant impact and lasting legacy. The actress observed,

“I certainly thought that she had learned to live wisely,”

and described a memorable image of Diana warmly embracing her sons after a separation.

“And I think we all remember the image of her with her arms outstretched after being away from her sons as they ran toward her. She loved them in a way a royal person never had and she really loved the world and so she did love well.”

Curtis shared further,

“Even though that day, this day, I’m still moved by her and her grace and courage, I’m also comforted in knowing that she lived a mindful wise, loving life.”

Princess Diana’s Role as a Progressive Humanitarian

Princess Diana broke with royal tradition by championing causes that were once considered controversial within the royal family. She was notably active in raising awareness about AIDS, land mine removal, and homelessness across the UK. Diana’s public, physical gestures of compassion, such as holding hands with AIDS victims, helped challenge stigma and public apprehension surrounding the disease.

Transforming the Relationship Between Royalty and the Media

The intrusive role of the paparazzi was tragically linked to Diana’s death, but her passing prompted a significant shift in how the royal family interacted with the press. Following her death, the palace reached agreements with British media outlets to limit photographers’ invasiveness, fostering better cooperation. Today, this has resulted in more controlled palace photo opportunities that balance royal privacy with public interest in the family.

Diana’s Openness About Mental Health Breaks Boundaries

One of Diana’s most transformative impacts on the royal family was her openness about mental health struggles. She spoke honestly about experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of Prince William. In a groundbreaking interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir, Diana reflected,

“Well, maybe I was the first person ever to be in this family who ever had a depression or was ever openly tearful. And obviously that was daunting, because if you’ve never seen it before how do you support it?”

This candidness helped set the stage for her sons William and Harry to continue her mental health advocacy through their Heads Together campaign, aimed at changing conversations about mental wellness in the UK.

Diana’s Unique Approach to Royal Life and Staff Relationships

Diana’s connection with those who worked within the royal household was notably warm and informal for someone of her stature. Her close friendship with butler Paul Burrell received media attention, and she fostered a familial environment by arranging playdates for Prince William and Prince Harry with the children of palace staff. Diana’s encouragement of her sons to help in the kitchen may have influenced Kate Middleton’s known preference for home-cooked family meals.

Altering Tradition: Diana’s Choice for Her Children’s Birthplaces

Breaking with royal customs, Diana opted to have both her children born outside of Buckingham Palace. Prince William, born on June 21, 1982, was the first future monarch to be born in a hospital—London’s St. Mary’s. This decision set a precedent that her son William and daughter-in-law Kate Middleton followed when they had Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the same hospital.

Diana’s Efforts to Give Her Sons a Normal Childhood

Refusing to place her sons on a pedestal, Diana aimed to provide them with as much normalcy as possible amidst their high-profile upbringing. Prince Harry explained that she made intentional choices to ensure their childhoods included everyday joys, sharing,

“She made the decision that no matter what, despite all the difficulties of growing up in that lime light and on that stage, she was going to ensure that both of us had as normal life as possible. And if that means taking us for a burger every now and then or sneaking us into the cinema, or driving through the country lanes with the roof down in her old school BMW to listen to Enya.”

Family Unity on Royal Tours

Princess Diana also changed royal family practice by insisting that Prince William accompany her and Prince Charles on their 1983 official tour of Australia and New Zealand, despite royal children typically not traveling on such trips. Her commitment to keeping the family together during these journeys has influenced how Prince William and Kate Middleton now include their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte on overseas tours.