In a move that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, a French pro-euthanasia group found themselves compelled to retract an advertisement featuring an image of Princess Diana’s tragic car crash.
Controversial Advertisement Withdrawn Amidst Public Outcry
The advertisement, depicting a severely damaged car in a tunnel, bore the caption: ‘Diana. She did not choose her death… in 2024, we should have the choice.’ Upon its release, the ad triggered immediate backlash, with critics denouncing it as ‘vile,’ ‘disgusting,’ ‘repugnant,’ and ‘hideous.’
According to reports from The Mail Online, Rosa Monckton, a close friend of Princess Diana, condemned the advertisement, labeling it as “cruel, callous, and opportunistic.” Monckton, who had vacationed with Diana shortly before her tragic demise in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris in 1997, expressed shock and horror at the use of the image.
Similarly, insiders from Kensington Palace were left appalled, with one individual remarking that the advert had plumbed the depths of bad taste. Dickie Arbiter, the former press secretary for the late Queen, criticized the advertisement, stating that referencing the events of 1997 was already reprehensible, but digitally manipulating an image crossed a line of decency.
Backlash Leads to Swift Withdrawal
Following a torrent of criticism, the offensive advertisement was swiftly withdrawn. The French pro-euthanasia group responsible, ADMD, begrudgingly acknowledged that their campaign “may have offended some observers” amidst the vehement backlash.
Commentators pointed out the lack of coherence between the shocking image and the group’s advocacy for euthanasia legislation. Le Figaro, a leading French newspaper, questioned the logic behind the advertisement, asking whether legalizing euthanasia would have prevented Princess Diana’s tragic fate.
Petronella Wyatt, a journalist and friend of Diana’s, lambasted the advertisement as “vile” and “completely irrelevant.” She emphasized that neither Diana nor any of the individuals involved in the accident had desired death, making the comparison to assisted dying both inappropriate and insensitive.
Calls for Accountability and Apology
Wyatt called for a formal apology from the group, highlighting the distress caused to Diana’s family, particularly her children. The insensitivity of exploiting a tragic event for the promotion of a controversial cause was underscored, leaving many to question the ethics and motives behind such a campaign.
In conclusion, the use of Princess Diana’s fatal car crash photo in a pro-euthanasia advertisement has ignited fury and condemnation. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities inherent in advocacy campaigns and the need for sensitivity when addressing deeply personal and tragic events.
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