A multi-faceted existence, the life of Diana Frances Spencer is one of the most famous of the 20th century Western World. Born into aristocracy, Diana was far from your typical regal figure, struggling through her studies at prestigious schools, even failing certain first year courses twice.

Further obscuring her role as a true royal was the manner in which she eventually met her eventual husband, Prince Charles. In a bit of foreshadowing, Charles was originally dating Diana's eldest sister Sarah.

Regardless of these initial problems, Diana became easily the most popular royal of modern times. That popularity was caused by a number of qualities not usually expected of a royal. Showing a genuine disposition to each and every person she met, Diana was seen as a more grounded figure than most from her early years as Princess of Wales.

That aspect would eventually be manifest in the actions for which Diana is now being commemorated by her children: charitable and humanitarian work.

Although her fashion sometimes made transient headlines, it was the humanitarian work she did around the world which earned her a reputation that resulted in the huge outpouring of love upon her death. Among her work was a frequent high-profile interest in the discovery and subsequent removal of landmines, often heading into dangerous areas herself to speak with and console victims of explosions, often children.

An interest in children was another overarching theme of Diana's life, taking a vested interest in the fair treatment of younger peoples worldwide. That tradition is being carried on posthumously through the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Diana's efforts to protect children were far-reaching and various and although her landmine concerns received the most publicity, Diana was also concerned with the AIDS virus and the public perception surrounding the disease. In its earlier stages AIDS carried with it an ominous reputation. Victims of the disease were cast as either careless fickle partiers or worse, closeted homosexuals. Diana was one of the main figures who went out and spoke with AIDS sufferers and helped relieve the disease of its unwarranted reputation.

While Diana's contribution to the fight against AIDS was great, perhaps more valuable was her actions against landmines. Free of her royal obligations and her obligations as a wife, Diana put all her efforts into ending the use of landmines and accounting for those still spread throughout the world. Diana even spoke to British Parliament on various occasions addressing the cause.

A life in the public eye tragic ended in 1997. While on a trip, to Paris Diana was involved in a fatal accident. The story which surrounds her death is now urban legend, with many people speculating over various possibilities. Amongst these theories is a rather unfounded belief that there was a conspiracy to kill Diana and more logically, many believe that the paparazzi, who were chasing her vehicle at the time of her death, were directly responsible for her death.

While the theatrics that followed her death may have overshadowed her life for a short period, this memorial 10 years later is an opportune moment to look back with clear vision at Diana's honourable behaviour, a woman who could have just as easily followed the typical royal posture.

Perhaps Sir Elton John put it best: "(Her) candle's burned out long before (her) legend ever will."