On Dec. 3, Princess Diana appeared at a news conference to announce that she is curtailing her public appearances. She also pleaded to be left alone.
   1993 proved a tumultuous year for the princess, following her separation last year from Prince Charles.
   In January, tapes surfaced of a steamy telephone call between the prince and Camilla Parker-Bowles, his confidant.
   Then in March a sexually-charged call turned up in which Diana expressed to her confidant, James Gilbey, that she is afraid of getting pregnant.
   Press attention remained intense throughout the fall, with a London tabloid printing unflattering photos of the princess working out at a fitness club.
   Many observers speculated that the princess would stage a Garbo-like attempt at privacy for a short time, but would ultimately return to the public light.
   Despite her problems, the princess remained extremely popular. A December poll in the tabloid Sun showed that 63 percent of Britons blame Prince Charles for driving his wife from public life.