There’s a striking image of Princess Diana and Michael Jackson that has always stuck with me. At first glance, it seems like just a moment shared between two legends, but if you dig a little deeper, there’s so much more to their story!
A Meeting of Icons
Princess Diana, known as “The People’s Princess,” and Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, are two names that resonate with people around the world. Their iconic status speaks for itself, and it’s no surprise that these larger-than-life personalities would eventually cross paths.
However, few could have predicted that their encounter would lead to a deep and meaningful connection.
Only Met in Person Once
Diana was a huge music fan. In fact, her favorite band was Duran Duran, and she loved their music throughout the 1980s. But she also adored Michael Jackson’s music, often playing his albums “Thriller” and “Bad” on repeat.
This love for music is what brought her to Michael on July 16, 1988, when she and her then-husband, Prince Charles, attended his Bad Tour concert at Wembley Stadium. This concert marked both their first and last meeting.
Michael later recalled, “She told me she was honored to meet me,” during a 1997 interview with Barbara Walters. You could feel the tension in the air as Michael approached Diana, nervous about meeting the royal.
In fact, he was so anxious that he decided to remove the song “Dirty Diana” from his setlist, worried it might upset her. “I took it out of the show in honor of Her Royal Highness,” he explained.
Diana’s Reaction to Meeting Michael Jackson
However, Diana had a different reaction. She asked Michael if he was going to perform “Dirty Diana” during their meet-and-greet before the show. When he told her he had removed it, she insisted he perform it anyway, encouraging him to go ahead and sing the song.
Ultimately, Michael did perform it, and Diana danced the night away while Prince Charles remained seated.
Michael had great admiration for Diana. “I thought the princess was just wonderful,” he said to reporters. Knowing how much she adored her sons, he even gifted her two miniature tour jackets for Princes William and Harry. Their connection was evident, and it was clear that both shared a love for music and a passion for life.
A Powerful Bond Forms
What many might not have anticipated was that their first encounter would spark an incredibly powerful bond. “We were very close,” Michael said in a 1999 interview. “She was extremely close by phone… I was still married to Lisa Marie [Presley].
Diana woke me up usually late at night… mostly after three in the morning! And then she held me for hours on the telephone.” He mentioned that Diana would often talk about her children and the pressures of being in the public eye.
However, some of Diana’s friends disputed this, claiming that Michael never had her private number. Staff at Kensington Palace were instructed not to connect him if he called. Regardless, it’s clear that both Diana and Michael shared similar experiences and a passion for humanitarian causes.
Both were deeply engaged in charitable work. At the time they met, Michael had donated $188,000 to the Prince’s Trust and another $126,000 to Great Ormond Street Hospital. They also had a shared taste in jewelry, both being clients of the famous jeweler Butler & Wilson.
Was There More Than Friendship?
But was there something deeper than just friendship? Michael’s former bodyguard, Matt Fiddes, claimed that Michael was “in love” with Diana.
He said, “[Jackson] felt she was the only person in the world who could understand his life in terms of not being able to go anywhere, and the media stories that got out of hand.” Both faced intense media scrutiny, making their bond even more special.
The Pain of Loss
Tragically, their friendship was cut short when Diana died in a car accident in 1997. When Michael learned of her passing, he was devastated. Reports say he fainted upon hearing the news and needed smelling salts to revive him. He was so affected that he postponed a concert in Belgium, unable to perform for an audience of 60,000 people.
In a heartbreaking twist, Diana died just two days after Michael’s 39th birthday. When he returned to the stage, he paid tribute to her, saying, “In my heart, I was saying, ‘I love you, Diana. Shine. And shine on forever, because you are the true princess of the people.’”
A Final Farewell
Although Michael did not attend Diana’s funeral, he did go to a memorial service for her in Los Angeles. Dressed in black with a black fedora and a red armband, he arrived surrounded by bodyguards.
He was one of 1,000 guests in attendance and expressed his desire to honor his friend, saying, “I wanted to be there to honor my friend who is no longer here… I love her.”
Michael continued to speak fondly of Diana after her death. In 2003, he called her “one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known” and reflected on their shared experiences with the press. “I don’t think they hounded anyone more than her and myself,” he said.
“We had a relationship where we would call each other late at night… just cry on each other’s shoulders about how hard and difficult and how mean the tabloids can be.”
A Lasting Legacy
It’s fascinating to watch the moments shared between Diana and Michael Jackson. Sadly, both left us too soon, and the photographer capturing that iconic moment likely didn’t realize the historic significance of their meeting.
In hindsight, that image reflects the first tentative steps of a bond that would grow stronger over time, filled with empathy and understanding.
What do you think of this incredible story? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The connection between Diana and Michael Jackson reminds us of how powerful friendships can be, even in the face of fame and tragedy.
