The media storm around the royal family after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday in the United Kingdom and the proclamation of her son Charles as the new king, attention once again turns to Britain. The royal family is back in the media spotlight, with headlines and coverage following every step of the mourning and the formal transition. British royals remain magnets for intense press scrutiny and public interest.
In 1996, the Princess of Wales, Lady Diana, chose Alicante for a few days of rest. She arrived in the city on May 4, 1996, planning to enjoy a brief seaside retreat at Sant Joan beach accompanied by what the royal household described as friends. Diana’s visit to Alicante came a few months before the public announcement of her separation from Prince Charles. She found herself at the center of a media hurricane, far from the peaceful beachside escape she had sought.
Arriving incognito at the airport did little to hide her presence. The trip quickly leaked to British media, and the few days meant for anonymity near the sea turned into a media gauntlet. The hotel chosen for the stay was effectively overtaken by the press, with many journalists already booked in advance.
The hotel near the beach was overtaken by the British press, and most guests had already booked long before the princess arrived.
The morning following her arrival, Diana walked briefly along the beach near the hotel after a light breakfast in her room. She hoped to relax by the sea on Tuesday, but the relentless attention proved too much. Every step she took was monitored by hundreds of journalists and cameras.
The hotel area became a focal point for reporters, photographers, and outlet crews, turning a private vacation into a sphere of constant scrutiny.
It has been 25 years since Lady Di’s death, and television outlets in 1997 described her visit to Alicante in stark terms, highlighting the clash between royal life and public interest.
The marital tensions within the couple were an open secret, and any action by Diana was seen as a sign of the upcoming separation. The British press, wary of sensational headlines, followed the events with intense curiosity. Reporters from major newspapers and agencies closely tracked Diana’s movements, some posing as various business contacts to get closer to her. Agencies from Madrid and studios with correspondents in San Juan coordinated coverage to capture every moment of the visit.
Conspiracy theories regarding Diana’s death grew louder as the anniversary approached, and the event continued to be told through the lens of a public fascination with the princess’s life and its turning points.
In the end, only about 18 hours after landing in Alicante, Diana decided to cut the trip short. She could not endure the pressure of the international press and the relentless attention. A spokesperson stated that the visit was intended to see a friend, and the plan to stay longer was abandoned as press intrusion intensified. Diana left Alicante from El Altet airport for Heathrow in London, ending her short stay and canceling remaining hotel plans.