Haunted by my sister's death, I now understand Princess Diana's 'replacement child' agony
Daily MailMy sister Julie died in the month of August. Princess Diana was a replacement child - her brother had died in infancy just a year before her birth Diana's parents wanted a male heir, and the princess later described developing a sense of inadequacy as a result Elvis Presley was born moments after a stillborn twin brother. He was plagued by survivor’s guilt Elvis's mother claimed he was so successful because he was living for two people My sister’s death loomed large for me, but my experience, as the child born afterwards, was consistently unspoken, and strangely set apart. 'Throughout my childhood I heard about my perfect sister and wondered if I would have even been born if she had not died' Maria Callas was born after her two-year old brother died of meningitis. It didn’t do any good.’ One respondent reported crying in her crib for hours on end because her mother couldn't bond with her A sense of feeling invisible is also commonly reported by subsequent children Others described the opposite - of having overly protective parents Margie additionally described the impact on her adult relationships.
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A year since my sister’s suicide, here’s what I’ve learnt about grief – and life
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