There are few cultural figures that have captured the public’s imagination more than the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The universally beloved royal died in 1997, yet our fascination with the ups and downs of her short life – and high-profile falling out with the Royal Family – continues to garner headlines across international publications. Even sons, princes William and Harry, can’t escape her shadow, facing constant reminders via a barrage of news outlets that continue to harken back their mother’s tragic demise and tabloid-famous split from Prince Charles.
Now, U.K./U.S. production company Lightbox and U.K. distributor Altitude have announced the upcoming release of Diana, the first worldwide theatrical documentary about the People’s Princess. Is it possible that there’s still more left to be said about the beloved icon?
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Oscar-nominated director Ed Perkins is at the helm of the feature-length doc, which seeks to shed new light on the troubled life and times of everyone’s favourite royal. Set for a summer 2022 release, Diana uses an archive-only approach – zeroing in on a plethora of news reports and never-before-seen footage and photo. It’s release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the cultural icon.
“Though we are telling a story which has been told and re-told many times, my aim is to reframe it for a modern audience and make it feel as fresh and relevant as it ever has,” said Perkins, as quoted in Variety. “The idea of taking an archive-only approach will allow us to immerse audiences in the narrative as if it were being told in the present.”
Related: 15 bizarre royal family holiday rules they’re not allowed to break.
Although the Royal Family typically doesn’t react publicly to documentaries or shows like The Crown that centre on their lives, the House of Windsor is no doubt on high-alert for old rumours and conjectures to resurface in the wake of the new doc. Between this and the upcoming season of The Crown, Diana will back in the news, front-and-centre.
