Really a people's princess

Still shocked by the way Princess Diana parted this world, I read a lot of comments in the news. One report said that Indonesians could be overreacting to the death of a foreign princess. The opinion in itself is not so objectionable, but the letter of Mr. Natarajan forces me to make my point of view known.

I really object to his views in the sixth and seventh paragraphs of his Sept. 5 letter. It seems that Mr. Natarajan thinks that by marrying into royalty and fortune, Diana, Princess of Wales, should have acted as silent as a mannequin. In this modern world, one should at least be able to defend one's right of existence as a human being.

Princess Di was good in using the media to her advantage, but we should not forget that media had the same advantage in cashing in on her, and sometimes disgracing her. If in feeling frustrated and isolated she tried to gain an objective opinion by going public with her story, why should we blame her?

Did she try to glean only good things from royal life? I think she took advantage of being in the royal circle to help people, to create a new face of royalty. She did it in a humane way in which her feelings and affections were visibly displayed. That way, people knew the royal family loved and cared about them. People could sense her sincerity as she showed her inner feelings without a hint of putting on a show solely out of duty. It worked in the global world.

She was glamorous on occasions when people expected a glamorous princess. Who said that Dodi al-Fayed gave her a more expensive ring than the engagement ring given to her by Prince Charles? Who's to know which ring she would value more? I surely know that for a real woman the occasion and heart are more important than price.

I do enjoy reading news on celebrities, but not all that private (and sometimes inaccurate) news. I loved seeing Diana in a more relaxed style than the formal photos issued by the royal press. I did not enjoy the blurred photos stolen by paparazzi as I could hardly see her in those photos.

I wish the press would provide news without intruding on others' privacy. On this occasion I would like to say that the European press should stop intruding into the private lives of Prince William and Prince Harry. It would be better for them to grow up as normal boys, making friends and having a chance of a normal life.

MARIA MARGARETTA

Jakarta