WOTM: Princess Diana

“I like to be a free spirit. Some don’t like that, but that’s the way I am”

 - Princess Diana

Diana Frances, Princess of Wales, mother of 2 and an inspiring role model to many young girls, even women, out there. She taught us to smile through the sad times and laugh through the hard ones. She was our princess, Princess Diana.

Born on the 1st of July 1961, Diana Frances was the fourth child of John Spencer and Frances Roche. Growing up, Diana went to a normal school and lived a regular life of a teenager. Battling through school, exams and even relationships. But even through these ‘rough teenage years’, Diana still managed to put a smile on her face. She failed her O levels twice and still joked about her poor academic record until the day she died. She had a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind. 

Another inspiring aspect about Diana was her stylish fashion sense. From head to toe, she would never leave her house looking anything less than perfection. She could change from wearing something classy, edgy or even boho and still manage to rock them all. Diana once said “It’s all about the confidence, once you have that you can wear anything and still look like a princess”. Diana was a major appearance on the world stage and was often described as ‘The World’s Most Photographed Woman’. Not only was she a princess, she was a fashion icon.

Diana Frances went to the Riddlesworth Hall School, an all-girl boarding school, just like CILC. She did not shine academically but was named in her senior yearbook as ‘Most Active In Class’. In school, Diana excelled in swimming and diving. Ever since she was a young girl, she had always dreamt of becoming a professional ballerina. She studied ballet for a long time, but then grew too tall for the profession. Later in life, Diana went on to work as a nanny, dance instructor and pre-school assistant. She was never afraid to attempt new things. Consequently, she would grab every possible opportunity given to her to try something new. 

She used her fame as a princess for the greater good of society. The Princess was President and Patron of over 100 charities. Princess Diana became the President of Barnardo's, a British charity which helps the most vulnerable people transform their lives and fulfill their potential. She attended over 110 events - visiting projects, meeting volunteers, attending conferences and appearing at fundraising events. She was known for delighting hundreds of people fortunate enough to meet her and to be touched by her compassion.

In 1992, Diana visited Mother Teresa's Hospice for the Sick and Dying and met every one of the 50 patients who were close to death. Diana had a natural empathy towards people who were close to death or those who had lost a loved one, something clearly shown through her visits to hospitals around the world. "I make the trips at least three times a week, and spend up to four hours at a time with patients holding their hands and talking to them. Some of them will live and some will die, but they all need to be loved while they are here. I try to be there for them", says Princess Diana in one of her interviews. 

In 1997, the Princess attended events in London and New York as previews of the sale of a number of dresses and suits worn by her, the proceeds from these events went to charity. The sale of her dresses was the most profitable charity auction in the history of Christies Auction House, raising more than $3.25 million for cancer and Aids charities. Princess Diana championed the issue of landmines, supporting the campaign for a worldwide ban and speaking up for those whose lives were blighted by landmines. She also contributed to a fund that supports young people in prisoners’ families - an invisible group stigmatised by society and judged guilty for a crime they did not commit.

Even with her busy schedule, Diana Frances never failed to give back to the community. She was always able to set aside some time for her people. Giving out smiles, hugs and advice, Princess Diana was truly a loving human being. 

Even after the tragic loss of our Princess Diana, her legacy continued to live on. Her kindness rubbed off on everyone she knew. On that one gloomy day, everyone lost someone. Many lost their role model, someone to look up to. Others lost a friend. Diana Frances meant something to everyone. Imagine what could have been contributed to the community by her. Imagine the advice we could have gotten from her. Imagine all her smiles that could have been passed around.

Imagine what could have been.