Dancing With Diana by Anne Allan

Author:Anne Allan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sutherland House Books

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Breaking Barriers

IT WAS 1987. The beginning of the new year brought a stronger Princess of Wales, who was starting to define “who she was in that role,” as she put it. She had discovered the things that really mattered to her and realized that she could make a difference by bringing attention to them as the Princess of Wales. She began to let herself show and feel sensitivity and empathy to those who were in distress or suffering. She was widening her knowledge and understanding from what she now considered her sheltered upbringing. She knew her position as Princess of Wales would never allow her to see the world as it really was, so she made the decision to raise awareness about those less fortunate than herself, whenever or wherever she could. She was resolute that being more confident in herself might give her the ability to improve and change people’s lives. As she spoke of this during one of our after-class floor chats, I could see the truth in her eyes and the deep sense of purpose that she felt.

I think it is extremely hard for people to take in what Diana’s diary looked like and what she fit into her day. Most started with a morning swim, and was then jam-packed with appointments, making sure every charity got the right attention, and followed by public appearances that went on into the evening. Diana was very much in demand.

Now that she had found her purpose, which was crucial to her, she did everything she could to bring the right attention to every person she met. She had already abandoned certain protocols: usually she didn’t wear gloves so she could shake hands with people that needed to feel a human touch, and often didn’t wear hats if the engagement involved her meeting children because it was easier to hug them. Her natural way of chatting and genuinely enjoying the conversation made her much more accessible than any royal before her. Diana thought it was desperately important that the monarchy have closer contact with its people, and the public loved her for that.

In her private life, she wanted Charles to see what she was capable of, and for him to be proud of her. Although she was still upset about the knowledge that Charles was seeing Camilla, she hoped things would change. One of her biggest concerns was that her children did not suffer; their well-being was the most important thing on her mind. She loved more than anything being a mum and, when she could, she would take her boys to school and spend as much time with them as her schedule would permit. More than anything, she wanted the boys to be allowed to connect with the world outside the palace. She wanted them to experience all walks of life and felt it was most important that they understand other people’s emotions. “The royal way” was the opposite of that. She was determined that they would have a deeper understanding of people, which ultimately would serve them in their future lives.

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