It started as a meme. Or maybe a fever dream. If you spent any time on X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok in late 2022, you saw the side-by-side photos. On the left, a grainy shot of Princess Diana in her iconic red puffer jacket or maybe the "revenge dress." On the right, Ice Spice—the Bronx rapper with the signature orange curls—looking unbothered in a tracksuit. The caption usually read something like: "The People's Princess."
It’s easy to dismiss this as just another weird internet obsession. But honestly? The connection between Princess Diana and Ice Spice actually tells us a lot about how fame works today. It isn't that people think Ice Spice is literally royalty. Obviously. Instead, it’s about a specific kind of magnetism that both women share, despite living in completely different worlds.
Diana was a Spencer, born into the British aristocracy. Ice Spice, born Isis Naija Gaston, grew up in the Bronx. One was a global icon of charity and royal duty; the other is a drill artist who went viral for "Munch (Feelin’ U)." Yet, the "People’s Princess" tag stuck to Ice Spice so hard that even she started leaning into it. It’s a fascinating case study in how Gen Z reclaims historical legacies to make sense of their own icons.
Why the internet is obsessed with the Princess Diana Ice Spice comparison
You can't talk about Ice Spice without talking about her "pobla." That’s what her fans call themselves. They are fiercely protective, much like the public was with Diana in the nineties.
The comparison really took off because of their perceived "softness." In a rap industry that often rewards aggression, Ice Spice came onto the scene with a remarkably calm, almost whispered flow. People found it endearing. It felt approachable. Diana had that same quality—the "Shy Di" persona that eventually evolved into something much more powerful but never lost that core sense of vulnerability.
There's also the fashion. When Ice Spice attended the Met Gala or sat front row at New York Fashion Week, the "Princess Diana Ice Spice" tweets reached a breaking point. People began editing Ice Spice into photos of Diana, swapping their outfits, and analyzing their body language. They both have this way of looking at a camera—slightly tilted head, eyes looking up—that feels intimate. It’s like they’re sharing a secret with the viewer.
The "Munch" heard 'round the world
Let’s be real for a second. Ice Spice’s rise was meteoric. We’re talking about a girl who was making songs in her room and, within a year, was collaborating with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. That level of sudden, suffocating fame mirrors the "Dianamania" of the early 1980s.
When Diana married Charles, she became the most photographed woman in the world overnight. Ice Spice experienced a digital version of that. Every move she makes is dissected by millions. If she breathes differently on a livestream, it’s a headline. This shared experience of being "the main character" of the zeitgeist is the glue holding this weird comparison together.
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The power of the "People's Princess" branding
Gen Z loves irony, but they also love sincerity. Calling Ice Spice the "People’s Princess" is both a joke and a high compliment. It’s a way of saying she’s "one of us" even though she’s famous.
- Approachability: Diana broke royal protocol to hug people. Ice Spice takes selfies with fans in the Bronx.
- The Underdog Narrative: Both were initially underestimated by "the establishment."
- Visual Identity: The orange afro is as recognizable today as Diana’s feathered bob was in 1985.
Honestly, the media didn't know what to do with either of them at first. Critics called Diana "thick" (in the old-fashioned sense) and predicted she’d be a footnote. Critics called Ice Spice a "one-hit wonder" who couldn't rap. They were both wrong. By leaning into their unique identities, they forced the world to come to them.
Princess Diana and Ice Spice: Fashion, Paparazzi, and the Male Gaze
There is a deeper, slightly more serious layer to this. Both women have had their bodies and dating lives scrutinized to an exhausting degree.
Diana’s every outfit was a political statement. Think about the "Revenge Dress." She wore it the night Prince Charles admitted to adultery on national television. It was a power move. Ice Spice uses fashion in a similar way, blending high-end couture with street style to maintain her Bronx roots while conquering the global stage. When she wore that custom lace Nina Ricci gown at the VMAs, it felt like a coronation.
The paparazzi culture has changed, sure. Diana was chased by men on motorbikes. Ice Spice is chased by people with iPhones. But the feeling of being "hunted" by the public eye remains the same. The internet’s insistence on the Princess Diana Ice Spice connection is a weirdly poetic way of acknowledging that being a "People's Princess" comes with a heavy price.
Did Ice Spice actually lean into the Diana comparisons?
Yes. She’s not oblivious.
In her music video for "Princess Diana" (the remix with Nicki Minaj), she literally claimed the title. The lyrics aren't deep metaphors about the British monarchy, but the imagery is unmistakable. Pink sets, royal-adjacent aesthetics, and a general vibe of "I know what you're calling me, and I'm here for it."
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She told Teen Vogue that she finds the comparison "cute." She gets the humor behind it. But she also seems to understand the gravity of being a symbol for a whole generation of girls who see themselves in her.
The role of social media in modern "Royalty"
In 1997, the world mourned Diana in a way that hadn't been seen since the Kennedy assassination. In 2026, we don't have that same kind of monoculture. We have niches.
However, Ice Spice is one of the few celebrities who manages to bridge those gaps. Even if you don't listen to her music, you know who she is. You know the hair. You know the "stop playin' with 'em" catchphrase. That is "Royal" level branding.
Social media acts as the modern-day palace gates. We get "glimpses" of the queen through her TikToks or Instagram stories. But just like the royals, there is a wall. We don't really know Isis Gaston. We know "Ice Spice," the persona. Diana was the same way—the public loved the idea of her, perhaps even more than the woman herself.
Misconceptions about the "Gen Z Diana"
Some people get really offended by this. You’ll see comments from older generations saying it’s "disrespectful" to compare a rapper to a literal royal who did humanitarian work.
But they’re missing the point.
The comparison isn't about resume. It’s about impact. It’s about how a person makes a crowd feel. When Ice Spice walks into a room, the energy shifts. That "It Factor" is rare. You can’t teach it. You can't buy it. Diana had it. Ice Spice has it.
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What we can learn from this pop culture crossover
The Princess Diana Ice Spice phenomenon teaches us that history is a cycle. Every generation needs a "People's Princess"—someone who feels like a friend but lives like a dream.
In the nineties, that was a woman trying to modernize a cold, ancient institution. In the 2020s, it’s a girl from the Bronx navigating the chaotic, often toxic world of viral fame and the music industry.
The tools have changed—from The Sun newspapers to TikTok "stan" accounts—but the human desire to project our hopes and aesthetics onto a singular figure remains identical.
Actionable insights for following the trend
If you’re trying to understand the "People’s Princess" effect or why these two names are forever linked in Google’s algorithm, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the "Princess Diana" Remix Video: Pay attention to the color palettes and how Ice Spice uses "royal" cues in her movements.
- Look at the "Munch" Impact: Analyze how a single viral moment can create a persona that people feel they "own," similar to how the British public felt they "owned" Diana.
- Check X (Twitter) Archives: Search for the earliest comparisons from 2022 to see how organic memes eventually become mainstream marketing.
- Observe the Fashion Parallel: Look up Diana’s 90s streetwear (biker shorts and oversized sweatshirts) and compare it to the "off-duty" looks Ice Spice popularized. You’ll see the DNA is surprisingly similar.
Ultimately, Ice Spice being called the "modern-day Diana" isn't a sign that the world has lost its mind. It’s a sign that we’re still looking for icons who feel human. Whether she’s wearing a tiara or a heavy diamond chain, the "People’s Princess" title is about the connection, not the jewelry.
As we move further into the decade, expect more of these historical-to-modern comparisons. They help us ground our fast-paced digital culture in something that feels permanent. Ice Spice isn't just a rapper anymore; she's a symbol. And as Diana proved, once you become a symbol, you never really go out of style.
To stay updated on this cultural intersection, you should follow the creators on TikTok who specialize in "Niche Pop History." They often break down these visual parallels with better precision than mainstream news outlets. Also, keep an eye on Ice Spice’s upcoming fashion collaborations, as she’s likely to continue referencing "Royal" aesthetics in her high-fashion era.
Understanding this link helps you understand the language of the internet today. It’s not about literal truth; it’s about the vibe. And the vibe, as they say, is very much "People's Princess."