This study aims at proposing a Critical Discourse Analysis of Lady Diana's confessional speech that has been broadcasted in 2017. Also, it highlights the importance of employing a range of analytical tools to uncover the ideological strategies in the persuasion of the audience and gaining their approval. The documentary has been subjected to a critical analysis through Halliday's Transitivity and Modality; besides, it seeks to investigate the speaker's lexical choices and deixis. Additionally, nine of van Dijk's (2000) Categories of Ideological Analysis are employed. Furthermore, the researcher has divided the script to create five phases in Lady Diana's life: Tough Childhood, Royal Marriage: Jealousy and Cheating, Bulimia, Postnatal Depression and Suicidal Attempts, Tensed Relationships in the Royal Palace, and Confronting, Changing & Hoping Again.
The findings have made several contributions to the field of Critical Discourse Analysis, particularly with regards to the role of language and ideology in shaping public discourse and opinion. Additionally, the study has demonstrated the significant role of linguistic and ideological strategies in shaping the audience's perception of Diana and the other characters in the documentary.
After her fatal accident, public interest in Diana has remained high. Afterwards, many movies, books, novels and television shows were produced about her life. Thus, this study provides a detailed Critical Discourse Analysis of one of the most viewed confessional documentaries, Diana: In Her Own Words. Hence, this analysis contributes to the scholarly understanding of Lady Diana's legendry life.