The shocking death, at 36, of Diana on August 31st, will raise many questions.

I've attempted to put together my understanding of the whole situation--which, quite sadly, is not pretty.

By most accounts, the virginal 19-year-old was picked by Charles and his advisors as little more than breeding stock. He was being pressured into a marriage at the time; never mind that his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles was taking place before, during, and after the wedding.

At one of Diana's first interviews at Charles' side, she said that she and Charles were in love. Charles added "Whatever that means," no doubt a foretaste of things to come.

Her marriage deteriorated quickly, but she was not in favor of a divorce, fearing that it would harm their two sons. No help was forthcoming from Queen Elizabeth II (what a surprise), who believed that it was Diana's duty to remain silent, accepting the so-called traditions of royalty, that have long sanctioned male infidelity.

After the divorce, Charles' image got even worse, if that were possible, and Diana focused her attentions on the needy. Ironically, being the world's most photographed woman helped her with these activities, so that a love/hate relationship developed with the paparazzi.

We now know that the driver of the death car was legally intoxicated. We always knew that Dodi Al Fayed had a less than stellar reputation. Didn't Diana?

In truth, we expected too much from her. She was never given a chance to grow up, and indeed, was thrust into untenable circumstances far too young. Let all those who mourn her death become more cognizant of the wretched system that pulled her down.

When the royals screw up on their own (and there have been dozens of recent examples) they can keep going--stiff upper lip, and all that. Poor Diana tried to get out of the limelight, but could not retire to a former life. She never had one.