Where were you when you heard princess Diana had died?

miamee · 31-08-2017 08:09PM

Was working in a hotel in Germany for the summer holidays with a friend and another Irish lad. The Chefin told us when we were having our breakfast. With the slight language barrier we assumed she was getting it wrong when she insisted that "Lady Diana ist tot". She told us to go up to the TV room to watch the news (the one and only time we were allowed up) and we got away with starting work late. Watched a bit of Sky News that morning and later that evening, we missed the rest of the hoohaa after hat as we worked very long hours and were more interested in going down the mountain to the local pub on nights off than watching tv.

Jakey Rolling · 31-08-2017 08:13PM

Just arrived off a flight from LHR to Singapore.

It was bizarre watching from a distance as the mass hysteria unfolded across the UK. The lads I was working with were all as cynical as myself, so it was probably the best place to be. I get the impression that you wouldn't have been able to say a word against her in the immediate aftermath, without being rounded on.

AllGunsBlazing · 31-08-2017 08:13PM

Was plonked on the couch in front of the telly when Sky News broke the story of the accident itself. Watched for about an hour or so before telling both my parents, who were also watching, that she was dead and the British and French governments were stalling on how to break the news to the general public - and then made my way up to bed. Sure enough came down next morning and all was confirmed.

Truth be told that was a very strange summer in regards to Diana. It's no exaggeration to say she and her new boyfriend were on every tabloid front page for about a month leading up to her death. A feeding frenzy that hasn't yet been matched even in today's internet age.

Jambo · 31-08-2017 08:13PM

On a JJ Kavanagh bus returning to Waterford after seeing U2 Popmart Tour @ Landdowne Rd.
Still have the unused bomber jacket I bought at the concert that night.

Chester Copperpot · 31-08-2017 08:14PM

Woken up by my girlfriend at the time, as she burst into tears while telling me. I had nothing against Diana but I thought a lot less of the girlfriend for her overblown reaction. It went on for a few days. Was a bit shocked by her reaction and that was probably the death of that relationship.

It wasnt me123 · 31-08-2017 08:16PM

On my way to a U2 concert in Dublin - from Tipperary and it was p*ssing out of the heavens. I was riding a Honda 125 and tried to put it on a train to Dublin - the station master told me she died - at that stage I couldn't give a sh*te I had enough going on myself. In retrospect, I still don't give a sh*te. Sad for her children but its always sad when someone dies if you are close to them.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 31-08-2017 08:17PM

I was only 6 so I only recall being annoyed at how there were no cartoons on TV just some stupid funeral.

Burlap_Sack · 31-08-2017 08:18PM

Watching cartoons until the news broke. Ruined my Sunday morning. Selfish of her really.

brightspark · 31-08-2017 08:21PM

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I was only 6 so I only recall being annoyed at how there were no cartoons on TV just some stupid funeral.

LOL

I got married around that time, my younger cousins were staying in my house and were looking forward to watching lots of TV as I had Cable TV (they didn't).

They were disappointed, the funeral was on almost every channel!!!

I think Mother Teresa died the day before the funeral too.

gifted · 31-08-2017 08:22PM

In a mobile home in dingle, parents used own it and I used live in it for 6 months of the year, they called down one weekend and we ended up in the hilgrove hotel disco...mam dad and yours truly....I got warped...picked up some random woman and brought her back to mobile home and introduced her to the folks...they looking at me and probably wondering what the feck they were drinking in the disco.....woke up next morning and heard on the radio that Diana was dead....

Those were the days lol lol

branie2 · 31-08-2017 08:22PM

At home, I found out when I turned on the television.

_Dara_ · 31-08-2017 08:24PM

xzanti wrote: »

In the scratcher.

Yup!

meeeeh · 31-08-2017 08:27PM

I went interailing with friends and had to end it a few days before them. I got on the train from Paris wondering why is everyone reading tabloids because all newspapers had pictures of Diana on front page. When I landed in Trieste in Italy dad was picking me up and asked me did I hear Diana died. Then it dawned on me why there were pictures of her everywhere. I was in Paris when she died and didn't have a clue it happened until two days later.

Estrellita · 31-08-2017 08:38PM

In my parents home. I could hear my Mum and Dad talking loudly early in the morning. I could hear Dad saying ' God no. I don't believe it. I just can't believe it'. I came out of my room to see what the bother was, my Dad was glued to the screen. He's not the kind of person that would be easily shocked, but it would be fair to say he was struggling to comprehend what he was watching.

It was shocking, she seemed a genuinely nice woman. I felt so sorry for her boys, they were still so young when they lost her.

zcorpian88 · 31-08-2017 08:41PM

I was 8, Went downstairs and turned on Sunday morning cartoons, and Cartoon Network had a scroll on the bottom of the screen, and said "Turn to Sky News for an important announcement"

I flick over to see the wrecked car, barely knew who she was at the time.

31-08-2017 08:49PM

I was in a casino in Las Vegas. I remember all the tv screens started showing the news. There was a quieting down for a few mins, then Vegas life continued.

I was very sad to hear of her passing, and how it happened. I felt she was hunted to her death.
However, over her later years in public life, She possibly courted much of the press intrusion .
A very sad end for a young mother of two young boys.

OneArt · 31-08-2017 09:00PM

Was 7 at the time and in South Africa (where I grew up before my family moved back to Ireland). Up until the news came on, I had absolutely no idea who she was. I also had no idea that Wales was a place. So I remember asking my dad who replied, "She was the Princess of Wales." And all I could think of was this Daenarys-type woman riding on the back of a whale wearing a crown. That's pretty much the only reason the news of her death stuck in my mind.

I have of course since been aware that Wales is an actual country, of course.

31-08-2017 09:13PM

I was in Kinsale on a surfing weekend when I heard the news, couldn't wait to get home to watch it on the news. Was quite saddened by it.

Postgrad10 · 31-08-2017 09:19PM

I was playing connect 4 with my mum when my aunt called with the news. I remember seeing the two boys walking behind the coffin and feeling very sad for them.

KKkitty · 31-08-2017 09:21PM

In my aunt and uncle's house. My mam was very upset over it as was I.

KungPao · 31-08-2017 09:21PM

In the lav taking a ****.

_Dara_ · 31-08-2017 09:32PM

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

Was plonked on the couch in front of the telly when Sky News broke the story of the accident itself. Watched for about an hour or so before telling both my parents, who were also watching, that she was dead and the British and French governments were stalling on how to break the news to the general public - and then made my way up to bed. Sure enough came down next morning and all was confirmed.

My father said the same. He was watching a late film when the news broke and he said that he knew she was dead. Maybe the newsreader showed some "tell", something in their body language might have given it away.

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

Truth be told that was a very strange summer in regards to Diana. It's no exaggeration to say she and her new boyfriend were on every tabloid front page for about a month leading up to her death. A feeding frenzy that hasn't yet been matched even in today's internet age.

And that was a big part of why she died. People's voracious appetite for information about her (for whatever unfathomable reason) was why she as being chased by the paparazzi so aggressively. The gutter press and its reading public were indirectly partially responsible for her death.

lukesmom · 31-08-2017 09:39PM

I was coming home at 8am after my debs in 1997. My mother collected me and I was worse for wear! Got in the bed, stuck on the radio and there was the news. Was shocked.

_Dara_ · 31-08-2017 09:40PM

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I was only 6 so I only recall being annoyed at how there were no cartoons on TV just some stupid funeral.

I have an English friend who looks back in shame at the huff she got in because Diana's death overshadowed her 18th birthday.

Another mildly interesting fact, Dylan Moran married the day of her funeral just around the corner from where the service was being held.

lukesmom · 31-08-2017 09:41PM

Mech1 wrote:

In bed listening to 088 mobile calls on the scanner!

I've always wondered why anybody would want to do this. Listen in on other people's conversations. Nosey parkers

BrianD3 · 31-08-2017 09:42PM

I was home from college and used to always lie in till about 11 am on a Sunday so I found out then from TV news and teletext. My parents were out having their usual Sunday swim at the time and had heard a few hours earlier but hadn't woken me up. A huge news event (probably 2nd biggest in my lifetime after 9/11) but as can be seen, normal people just went about their lives. I can't recall feeling sad at the time. Whereas I do clearly recall being shocked and saddened by the death of Ayrton Senna a few years earlier.

AndyBoBandy · 31-08-2017 09:42PM

Next morning after the U2 concert in Landsdowne Road, my woke me up with the news, didn't really bother me!!

31-08-2017 09:44PM

Zebra3 wrote: »

Had just got out of bed to go and play ball. It was a Sunday morning.

The fuss over it all here in Ireland was utterly embarrassing. Blubbering fools going on and on about her as if she was some sort of saint.

The rise of grief junkies started that day.

'Grief junkies' - brilliant, and so accurate as a description of so many "oh my God!!!!" drama queen nutcases who use these things to dump all their self-inflicted stresses on the rest of us.

AllGunsBlazing · 31-08-2017 09:44PM

_Dara_ wrote: »

Another mildly interesting fact, Dylan Moran married the day of her funeral just around the corner from where the service was being held.

That had to be awkward. Even for a professional cynic like Dylan Moran.

A Little Pony · 31-08-2017 09:44PM

In bed being told. It was just one of utter shock.

Where were you when you heard princess Diana had died?

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