There are few photos of Princess Diana more famous than the one taken as she sat outside the famous Taj Mahal in India. Captured in 1992 on what today is affectionately known as “Lady Di’s Chair,” the photo has been recreated by thousands of people since, including Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Interestingly, one individual who didn’t take the chance to strike a similar pose when given the opportunity was Meghan Markle.
When Harry and Meghan began dating, Meghan often found herself traveling to various places around the world on different jobs. The then-Suits actress was on a business trip to India and planned to visit the legendary marble mausoleum, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
In his book, Spare, Prince Harry revealed what he told Meghan before her trip, and how he had warned her about recreating the famous Diana picture. The reason reportedly left her “baffled.”
Princess Diana didn’t acquire the monicker of “The People’s Princess” simply because it sounded good.
No, through her charitable work and warmth, she became an important figure for the British people to lean on and be inspired by in tough times. As she famously said, she didn’t wish to be the queen on paper, but rather the queen in people’s hearts.
Princess Diana – iconic visit to the Taj Mahal
The tragic accident in Paris that led to her death remains one of the most shocking events in modern British history. Yet to this day, Diana’s legacy lives on, not only through her sons William and Harry but, more importantly, in people’s hearts.
We can all agree that Princess Diana died far too young. Sadly, she was followed everywhere and endured a troubled private life once she joined the Royal Family.
Despite it all, though, Diana was a loving mother. She always made sure to put William and Harry first – the mother-of-two wanted her children to have a childhood that was as normal as possible. Yet while she wanted to be with her sons all the time, duty called, and Diana traveled the world both with and without her then-husband, Charles.
Over the years, Diana visited many places, cementing her place in history through camera lenses worldwide. One of the most iconic photos taken of her was snapped in 1992 when she visited India – and the Taj Mahal.
Then-President Ramaswamy Venkataraman greeted her on arrival, and during her trip she visited the inauguration of the Taman Special School for children. At the time, Prince Charles was attending a business meeting in Bangalore, leaving Diana to do her own thing.
That included a visit to the Taj Mahal, but the iconic photo left a bitter taste afterward.
For any who don’t know, the Taj Mahal is not a castle or a home.
What is the Taj Mahal?
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