Princess Diana Is Being Awarded This Honor

Decades after her death, Princess Diana is receiving an honor in the form of a plaque from English Heritage, which will be placed outside her former apartment. Diana would have turned 60 this year, and the plaque will honor her memory as a historically important figure.

As noted by CNN, the plaque will be located at the apartment the late royal shared with friends from 1979 to 1981, before her engagement to Prince Charles. Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, thanked English Heritage for the plaque in a tweet, writing, "How very lovely that this blue plaque will be going up outside Coleherne Court – thank you, ⁦@EnglishHeritage, for commemorating such a very happy place for Diana in this way. He also shared a photo of the plaque, which reads, "Lady Diana Spencer later Princess of Wales 1961-1997 lived here 1979-1981."

Per the English Heritage website, "Since it was founded 150 years ago, the London blue plaques scheme has been driven mainly by suggestions from the public."

The English Heritage website says that these plaques are landmarks of a sort and "appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds in London, to residents and visitors alike." It adds, "We welcome interesting and viable proposals for London blue plaques to celebrate prominent individuals and mark other significant historical associations."

To be eligible for a blue plaque, the organization notes that a person must meet strict criteria including having been deceased for a minimum of 20 years.

"We are expecting our plaque to Diana, Princess of Wales to be very popular," a representative for English Heritage, Anna Eavis, said in a statement (via CNN). "She was an inspiration and cultural icon to many, raising awareness of issues including landmines and homelessness, and helping to destigmatize illnesses such as HIV, leprosy and depression. It seems fitting that we should erect a plaque commemorating her work and influence in what would have been her 60th year."