The picture of Princess Diana sitting outside India’s world-famous Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic images of her. There have been thousands of recreations of the 1992 shot, which was taken on what is now lovingly called “Lady Di’s Chair,” including Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Strangely, Meghan Markle was one of the people who passed up the opportunity to make a similar posture.
As a result of her many professions, Meghan found herself frequently traversing the world when she and Harry started dating. While in India for business, the former Suits actress had every intention of seeing the world-famous marble tomb, which had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
While planning Meghan’s trip, Prince Harry spoke with her privately and warned her against trying to replicate the iconic photo of Diana. He detailed these conversations in his book Spare. She was allegedly “baffled” by the rationale.
“The People’s Princess” wasn’t a moniker that Princess Diana was given merely because it was catchy.
No, she became a pillar of strength and inspiration for the British people throughout their darkest hours thanks to her generous giving and welcoming personality. It was more important to her to be queen in people’s hearts than in paper, as she famously stated.
Diana, Princess of Wales—the legendary Taj Mahal visit
She was killed in a terrible accident in Paris, and it is still one of the most horrifying tragedies in modern British history. However, Diana’s influence continues even now, thanks to her sons Harry and William, but most significantly, to the love and admiration that the public has for her.
Princess Diana’s untimely death is something that everyone can agree on. Unfortunately, once she became a member of the royal family, she was relentlessly pursued and had a tumultuous private life.
Still, Diana remained a kind mom through thick and thin. The mother-of-two prioritized William and Harry above all else because she wanted them to have a typical upbringing. Despite her constant desire to be with her sons, Diana was compelled to do her role and traversed the world, sometimes with her then-husband, Charles, and other times alone.
Diana went on a whirlwind tour throughout the world, capturing memories that will live on in camera lenses forever. While in India in 1992, photographers captured one of her most famous poses at the Taj Mahal.
She was welcomed at the airport by the then-President, Ramaswamy Venkataraman, and she attended the opening ceremony of the Taman Special School for Children while on her tour. While Prince Charles was in Bangalore for a business meeting, Diana was left to her own devices.
Among them was a stop at the Taj Mahal, albeit taking that famous shot made me feel bad.
In case you didn’t know, the Taj Mahal isn’t a house or fortress.
The Taj Mahal — what is it?
It is actually Shah Jahan’s massive white marble mausoleum, constructed between 1631 and 1648 at his behest. His beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, was to be remembered in this way.
Among the world’s most revered cultural artifacts, the Taj Mahal is hailed by UNESCO as “the jewel of Muslim art in India.”
To this day, many in the architectural community rank the Taj Mahal as the pinnacle of Indo-Islamic style. Elements like arches and domes, which are known for their rhythmic use of solids and voids, concave and convex surfaces, and light and shadow, contribute to its well acknowledged architectural beauty. The monument takes on a myriad of shades and tones thanks to the blue sky above it, the reddish road, and the verdant landscape surrounding it. According to the description, this monument stands out due to its marble relief work and inlay of rare and semiprecious stones.
Photographs show Princess Diana seated on a bench in front of the world-renown Taj Mahal tomb. Many have imitated her posture because she wore a red jacket, purple skirt, and matching shoes to the event.
One of the photographers there was Anwar Hussein, who shot for the royal family. In 2022, he discussed the momentous occasion in an interview with People. Taking a photo of a monarch in front of the historic building was apparently nothing new for him.
“The eternal monument of a husband’s love exists as the Taj Mahal,” Hussein added. I took pictures of Charles there right before he proposed. “I hope to bring my future wife or girlfriend here someday,” he told us at the time.
The image gained legendary status. While the portrait of Diana was stunning at the time, many look back on it with a twinge of sadness because of what transpired thereafter.
Already during their time in India, whispers began to circulate that Diana and Charles’ marriage was on the rocks. It was fairly anticipated that the two would go to the Taj Mahal together, despite their busy schedules and other obligations. We now know that it was a complete fabrication.
We had no idea whether [Princess Diana] would show up. Anwar Hussein told People that she kept them waiting for quite some time. “That place was scorching hot. She seemed downcast and had a good idea of how the narrative would turn out. A mastermind, she was. She appeared to be studying things in other images shot that day on a different bench.
Princess Diana’s simple response to a reporter’s question about her feelings while viewing the mausoleum was: “It was a fascinating experience – very healing.” After asking her again, reporters still didn’t understand.
As a response, Diana grinned and said, “Figure it out for yourself.”
According to one royal specialist, the release of images of Princess Diana “broke hearts.”
Within the CNN documentary series The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty, royal biographer and journalist Tina Brown expressed her deep sadness about the portrayal of the young princess as an abandoned, lonely, and stunningly beautiful girl who lacked a loving family.
“She was quite competent. Plus, it drove Charles completely bonkers.
Diana was always reluctant to have her photo taken.
The photo had a tragic backstory, and it represented the beginning of the end for Princess Diana’s tenure with the Royal Family as her relationship with Prince Charles crumbled.
It turns out, though, that the picture itself was virtually never shot.
Ken Wharfe, Diana’s former security detail, claims that the princess first objected to having her picture taken.
The point was, this happened during the tour—the combined visit with her and the Prince of Wales,” Wharfe stated, according to Express. As the “temple of love,” the Prince of Wales’s reluctance to sit on that seat with his bride was understandable.
“The media’s attention was naturally focused on Diana throughout her life, alongside the Prince of Wales,” he continued. He found this to be a significant issue. He desired the spotlight from the media, but Diana naturally took center stage for all the right reasons.
Despite the iconic status of the photo of Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal, many other royals have also visited the UNESCO monument.
Visiting the Taj Mahal and posing for selfies at “Lady D’s Chair” in 2016, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton — then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — visited 24 years after his mother. Their spokesperson had previously stated that the couple’s goal for the vacation was to make “new memories.”
“It is widely recognized that the late Princess of Wales is highly esteemed in India, and the Duke of Cambridge acknowledges the iconic nature of the images of her at the Taj Mahal,” the statement continued.
His mother’s memory is kept alive by so many who travel there, and he feels tremendously lucky to visit this location.
Meghan Markle was urged by Prince Harry not to take pictures of the Taj Mahal.
Outside the Taj Mahal, photos have surfaced of Princess Diana, Prince William, and Princess Kate. But another princess might have imitated Diana’s photo if Prince Harry hadn’t intervened.
Even though Harry and Meghan did their best to keep their romance under wraps when it began in 2016, rumors about their relationship spread like wildfire. Just like they did with Harry’s mom, Diana, the British tabloids published a litany of negative stories about them.
Harry took decisive action when Meghan’s plans to go to India with World Vision to advocate for girls’ access to education and menstrual health management came to light.
Harry allegedly told his ex-girlfriend, “Do not take a photo of yourself in front of the Taj Mahal.” before she boarded the plane to India.
The Duke was very concerned that Meghan may be seen as trying too hard to be just like his mother. He appeared astonished by her response, but in reality, he was ecstatic.
“The Taj Mahal is off-limits for photo ops. “My mum,” I had told her when she had inquired. In his book Spare, Harry remarked, “I didn’t want anyone thinking Meg was trying to mimic my mother.” He went on to say that he had previously revealed that his mother had posed for a famous shot there.
“I adored Meg because she was perplexed; she had never heard of this photo and found the entire thing to be strange.”
Countless people were saddened by the loss of Princess Diana in 1997. As is customary, though, her loved ones bore the brunt of the tragedy.
Details of Harry’s mother’s death were revealed.
In his book Spare, Harry reminisced about the time he learned of his mother’s death. Dear son, mommy was in a vehicle accident, his dad sat by his side as he told him this story.
“Difficulties arose. Dear son, Harry recalled his father telling him that Mummy had suffered serious injuries and had to be transported to the hospital. Even though he had always called me “darling boy,” he was using the term frequently at this point. His tone was gentle. It seems that he was taken aback.
Because of a concussion. Baby, they did their best. She didn’t make it, I’m afraid.
The prince went on to explain that Charles “didn’t hug” him, but that he did place his hand on his knee and said, “It’s going to be OK.”
“On the night my mother passed away, everyone was aware of their whereabouts and activities,” Harry declared.
“I shed a tear at the burial, and I tell you all about how strange it was, and how walking around the outside of Kensington Palace made me feel guilty—guilt that I think William felt too.”
“Our mother received fifty thousand bouquets of flowers, and we were there, smiling and shaking hands with people,” he went on to say. I rewatched everything; I’ve seen the vids. They were wiping away our tears, and we were trembling because of their wet hands. We didn’t know why they were sopping.
A death had occurred in my family.
As the cortège made its way to Westminster Abbey, Harry and William followed behind Diana’s coffin. The choice to have the two lads, ages 12 and 15, walk across London in front of the world’s eyes was later lambasted by Harry.
In 2017, he spoke to Newsweek about his experience of walking a great distance behind his mother’s coffin while hundreds of people watched him and millions more watched on television. No matter the circumstances, I do not believe any youngster should be asked to do that. That wouldn’t happen now, in my opinion.
You will be missed, Princess Diana. In her memory, we ask that you please share this piece on Facebook.
