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Liz Smith | 04/15/2008 4:04 pm

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Who Still Cares? Millions Around the World Did. Some Still Do

Liz Smith
The last time I posted something about Princess Diana, I got a lot of razzing and people bothering to care enough to write in, asking: “Who cares?”

But I was interested in the following from my good friend Dominick Dunne’s column in May’s Vanity Fair magazine.

He describes a phenomenal memorial erected in Harrods by Mohamed Al Fayed to the memory of his son, Dodi, and the late princess. Dominick, who covered the recent expensive London inquest into Diana’s death, which ended, of course, without our finding out anything new that we hadn’t known back in 1997, has this to say:

“Like the conspiracy theory surrounding their deaths, their romance, too, was orchestrated by Mohamed Al Fayed. The shrine to the eternal love of Dodi and Diana in Harrods, the most famous of English department stores, owned by Al Fayed, is a popular tourist attraction. People line up to look at it. They speak in whispers, as if they were in church, instead of next to the Egyptian escalator in the basement of the store. The shrine, which is tacky but curiously touching, consists of a fountain, two large portraits – one of Dodi and one of Diana – and floor-lamp-size candles, the scent of lilies in the air. Under a glass pyramid is a crystal glass from which one of them had drunk champagne in the Imperial Suite of the Ritz Hotel (in Paris) just before they died, and the so-called engagement ring, which Dodi had bought that afternoon at the jewelry shop down the street from the Ritz. Diana never wore it.”

Well, I’m betting very few of us are going to go all the way to London to see this memorial, not with the English pound punishing the dollar the way it is doing these days (and the English pound is now being punished by the Euro). London is now the most expensive and, some say, desperate city in the world.

So in the interest of covering all bases, I decided to bring the memorial to you, courtesy of wowOwow. I’d love to know what you think about it?
Dodi_Diana_Harrods_Memorial.jpg
My personal "P.S." is, if you ever find yourself in Harrods department store, to pay very close attention to the Egyptian décor of the escalator. That is worth going there to see. And don’t miss going to the Harrods toy department.

Note: Don’t forget to read my nationally syndicated column!!

55 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Frau Quink
The poor man lost his son. …….. We all grieve in our own way……..
By Frau Quink on 04/16/2008 4:57 pm
Micky Mc
Not sure if it was necessary, but if it makes him feel better….
By Micky Mc on 04/16/2008 6:04 pm
Sharron O'Connor
Everyone sounds so experienced in everything……It didn’t bother me to scan the different questions..I find it do diverse. The answers. There are women/men on this site that have done some truly amazing things just in their private lives. Goodness only knows what occupations they might have had. Like the lady that’s 70 with all the grands. And, the abuse saver, and I remembered how hot it was the night the Princess was killed and I just couldn’t believe it. I still have that purple beanie baby. My prayers then were “watch out for Harry”, he seems to be the sensitive one. Look at him now ladies. I was thrilled to hear about this site. I thought in an odd way it might make me feel connected to a world again. I’m the one with the head injury and the screwed up boss I trusted. Now, I can’t sit alone with a doctor. I might have just been kidding myself..I was hoping this would not make me so afraid of people. Pain of losing love like Mr. Fayed goes deep — BAM! Look at all of those rich women at the bottom the the screen smiling..Ms. Thomas, it was your show in NY I think that was interrupted in 68 during an assination, I barely understood. Ms. Tomlin..laughs. AND Ms. Goldberg has always come the closest to teaching me to walk tall and keep moving even when the bullet shoots you right in the back of the head. I don’t know what this site is to be or what evolve into. I only know, it’s the first time I have ever told anyone about that “Dangerous Thing” and I know at least I can now tell my doctor after 6 years of silence. I don’ t know if I’ll be back to the site or not. Everyone at times seems to be so introspective and I’m just a me trying to figure out..when something goes terribly wrong and you’re all alone, what takes away the numb. I’ve laughed at some of the things said, an gone OMG! Fluff to feel like a woman is nice, we’re not men or automotron things….we’re women all of our shapes, sizes, colors….we still know the warmth of a warm hand.
By Sharron O'Connor on 04/16/2008 6:50 pm
Barbara Taylor
Gianna - Thanks, your comments were stated better than mine. I’m right there with you on each of your comments. Including, “there are times I don’t have a clue about people being quoted”. I’m an introvert, when writing on this site my stomach churns. I’m pushing myself and trying to express my views properly. Beth - wonderful, so well said.
By Barbara Taylor on 04/16/2008 9:10 pm
Bonnie Oliver
Barbara. Don’t worry, your comments have been excellent. Beth’s too. Heartfelt. After four of WOW ladies appeared on the Charlie Rose Show, I think that there are many of us newcomers to the website. And that stomach churning business is not uncommon. I too have doubts about whether I will fit in or if I have anything of interest to add to the conversation. In other discussions, some ladies have signed on and said goodbye in the same email. I plan to stick around for a little while and see what develops. However, I must admit I have my doubts about my own continued participation. I have yet to see a topic started by Peggy Noonan so I will wait at least that long.
By Bonnie Oliver on 04/16/2008 11:16 pm
Gianna Bracco
Hi Barbara: Introverts Unite!! Thanks for your kind words. I say if we’re enjoying visiting this website and it’s adding something positive to our day (it is for me), then, by all means, let’s continue to do so, and not let other women intimidate us, or make us feel “less than.” I don’t have a career, don’t spend my summers in the South of France, and have never jumped out of a plane, but I didn’t see the prerequisites for being a part of this group of women, soo, until I do, I will continue to do my thing and not allow another woman to question my “value” to the dialog. So I hope you get over your stomach-churning (it’s not as bad as public speaking!), and just be yourself. We all have something to offer. Peace …..
By Gianna Bracco on 04/17/2008 1:12 pm
Tinka Parker
My God the body on that princess (according to Fayed’s memorial)! Worthy of Lara Croft, Tomb Raider.
By Tinka Parker on 04/17/2008 11:21 am
M L Staats
Diana was beautiful and vulnerable yet approachable. I think it’s normal she has become even larger in death than in life. I completely agree that it was ridiculous they did not have their seat belts fastened; by now, we ALL know how important that is. All that said, I feel she will always fascinate and that will just grow in time. People love mysteries, even if they have to make them up. As for this site being fluff. Hmm. I must admit, when I logged on and saw the topic of how many people had we slept with, I was turned off. I chose not to comment there. The last thing I want to become as a woman is a big braggadocio the way men can be. That’s a private matter for me to know about. As for the site being an online Cosmo, I know how excited I was when I watched Charlie Rose with the ladies. I logged on right away. However, there is a sign at the top of this site that reads BETA and I’m hoping things will shift and form into something a bit more substantive. I’ll hang out to see. And I did want to congratulate those who have churning stomachs when they post. I am not afraid of public speaking or posting yet I can understand the fear. Always remember, your voice is as important as any other person’s. Even if you haven’t jumped out of a plane. I swear, there are days getting out of bed is fraught with as much danger or anxiety. Post on!
By M L Staats on 04/18/2008 4:57 pm
J. Stephens
I have one word for Mohamed Al Fayed - tacky. I completely agree with Dominick Dunne’s theory that it was a fantasy concocted by him. Diana would NEVER have married his son. But isn’t this just a person doing what he wants because he can?!
By J. Stephens on 04/19/2008 12:21 pm
Suzanne ~
Though a beautiful piece of art, a tad over the top and not necessary. Mr. Fayed is obviously still grieving, but I would suggest he continue in private. It’s appearing a move of desperation that cannot be resolved.
By Suzanne ~ on 04/20/2008 3:30 pm