It may be a quarter of a century since Diana’s last summer holidays, but plus ca change, because it will be forever frozen in time, in our consciousness.
The way her life ended it is heartening to think that her final summer saw her shine, on the humanitarian stage in Sarajevo.
At her most empathetic consoling Elton John at the funeral of Gianni Versace in Milan.
At her most playful as a mother with her boys in Saint Tropez.
And in a relationship, and maybe even in love, on a cruise with Dodi to Sardinia and then up to Paris.
All different destinations in their own right but all reflecting aspects of her character.
But not just hers as at her crux Sarajevo, Milan, Saint Tropez, cruises and the City of Light and Lovers Paris would entrance anybody.
And certainly those of us who has had the good fortune to visit them.
The life of a royal
Now we might not have lived the life of luxury that Diana did (although we did try).
And I should imagine I drew the same inspiration from each experience.
Birthday girl
Diana kicked off her summer on June 18 in her celebrity home bolthole of America.
Where she surprised by shunning glitzy Manhattan for the broken Bronx to walk hand in hand with Mother Teresa.
All to spotlight poverty in the borough.
She spent her birthday on July 1 working, in her home city of London, at the 100th anniversary of the Tate Gallery.
Where she received 90 bouquets of flowers.
An upgrade on the late night garage bunch many women up and down the country receive.
She took to the sea with her kids as many of us do in mid-July although perhaps not all of us in a super yacht.
Vive La France
The French Riviera though is doable for us mere mortals particularly if we seek out more affordable options such as the Mimozas Resort Cannes.
Such as neighbouring and more authentic neighbouring town Mandelieu La Napoule.
While staying in your own holiday homes at family specialist resort XX won’t require a royal divorce settlement.
Take too a speedboat tour around the Cote D’Azur for a window into the yachts and super yachts of the riche.
La Dolce Sweeter
Italy’s fashions and melodramas were always going to be as much as a fit for Diana as her iconic cocktail dresses.
Many of whom she sold off at auctions at Christie’s that summer.
She had a mercy mission in Milano to attend Gianni Versace’s funeral and consoled Elton John.
It wasn’t all cocktail hour that summer though with Diana throwing her weight behind Landmine Survivors Network in Sarajevo.
Diana explored further afield down to Sardinia.
And you can too aboard MSC cruise specialists.
Paris for lovers
Before following Diana and Dodi up to Paris and her final days at the Ritz.
The Ritz will of course attract the ghoulish to stand outside and gawp much as others do outside John Lennon’s Dakota Building in New York.
But Diana, like us all, liked a plush hotel and how the Ritz likes to do plush.
Among the swathe of programmes on the Princess of Wales’ life and death to mark 25 years since her death is a Channel 5 production Diana’s Last Summer.
And while absorbing the tragedy of her demise lap up instead a young woman’s tour de force.
Diana’s last summer holidays.
Can I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam
