For the authority file search within the Library of Congress Authority File database, I jumped between subject, name and title authority headings to seek out information on the late Princess Diana.
In subject search, I started with Diana Spencer as the key word, however, none of the records provided were anything close to what I was after. Still in subject search, I switched my search to Spencer, Diana. This search proved more fruitful, with the first 6 options prompting further consideration. The first record was an authorised heading, but clicking into it further connected it to a resource noting reference to the Barossa Valley. Other heading options were ruled out by birth and death dates in the 18th century range (including a Spencer, Diana, Lady, 1710-1735). Between the last three records for consideration, two had birth dates, but no death date and the final one was the confirmed heading of interest: Spencer, Diana Frances, 1961-1997. However, it was only a reference, and clicking further into the link revealed the authority record of: Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997, which was presented as an authorised heading with 94 bibliographic records.
I then entered this authorized subject heading as a name search, which also provided it as an authorised name heading, with 6 bibliographic records. Interestingly, Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997 (Spirit) was the second option (also an authorised heading), which I found to be quite peculiar. There were also multiple authorized headings on various AIDS lectures that Princess Diana had delivered and one connected to a Memorial Fund in her name.
Once again entering the authorised heading of Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997 in a title search, I was curious to see if there were any title headings with reference to the late Princess. No relevant results. I then simplified to Princess Diana, but no relevant results here either. In a final attempt, I searched Diana Princess of Wales – once again, no results. Jumping over to the Library of Congress Catalog, I searched under Princess Diana, with 492 records returned. This would indicate that each is a different title, with enough differentiation to not have required an authority record to be created due to any double ups.