On 31 August 1997, Diana Spencer the ex-wife of the now King Charles III of the United Kingdom was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris. Just 36 years old at the time, Diana left behind two young sons: William and Harry.  Her death sent a nation into mourning. Millions traveled to London in subsequent months to lay wreaths in her honor, and approximately one-third of the world's population watched her funeral on television. But while tragic, why were so many people so distraught over the sad passing of an individual that few of them had ever met? In this episode, I speak with Prof. Margaret Schwartz author of Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses.  Through her research, Margaret has gained an understanding of the relationships that develop between celebrated individuals like Diana and distant members of the general public.   Music: Pixabay This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia