Princess Diana memories: She might have had the makings of a good politician

She left school with very few qualifications but good music exams. Much was made of this in her early years as Princess Diana. 

I think I even read once that she called herself “thick”. The contrast between the young school-leaver “with no academic ability” and the poised and focused young woman that she blossomed into was remarkable and is a lesson to teachers of schools that we don’t always get it right. 

I recall Diana jumped down out of a helicopter in casual slacks and shirt and sensible shoes. 

She looks relaxed and confident. The country concerned was in Africa and ravaged by war. 

Diana stood before the microphone and read her speech to the world’s media. 

It was a clear, concise and carefully worded message spoken with passion and conviction. 

Had she lived she might have had the makings of a good politician. Her teachers must have been astonished and very proud of her. 

An A* performance. She must have been proud of herself. Her sons must have been proud of her, too. 

And all other children who leave school branded as failures, that they might one day.

Ms S McKnight, Belfast

I HAVE fond memories of Diana. She seemed like someone who was deeply considerate and a great mother. 

I loved following her work, especially her relationship with Mother Teresa. I’ve visited Bosnia a number of times and I admired her courage relating to the landmine charity. 

A model princess, a model mother and a model angel. May God bless Diana and her family and may her light shine from Heaven. 

Greg Hart, Inverness

I MET her in 1991 in Blackpool. It was July 2, the day after her birthday. Mine was June 30, only a day between us. 

I had my son, then aged two, on my hip as most mothers do and as she got out of the car she came straight to my side of the road and spoke to the man stood next to me. 

She looked at me and smiled and he said to her: “Happy birthday for yesterday, Ma’am.” 

She just smiled and looked sad. I will never forget the look in her eyes. 

Elaine Lawton, via email

I FOUND this in my late mother’s photos and I didn’t like to throw it away. 

It was taken during a visit to mum’s flats in Bracknell. 

I think the date is late 1980s-1990s.

J Martin

MY FAVOURITE memory of Diana is when she stepped out in a sophisticated black trouser suit that had been especially designed for her, emulating a man’s tuxedo dinner suit. 

She adapted formal menswear to an elegant ladies’ look for the evening. She looked good in men’s silken waistcoats as well. 

I LIVED in a small village called Fernhill Heath, just outside the city of Worcester. 

My memory of Diana dates back about 30 years ago. Not many people knew Diana was opening a new leisure centre called The Glades in Kidderminster town. She came by helicopter and landed in Fernhill Heath. 

She came down the long drive driven in a plain black car. A dozen of us stood by the gate house, which led on to the main road. 

She wound down the window and gave us the most beautiful smile and wave. I felt quite emotional that she did that for such a small group of people. 

Pamela Brewer, Worcester

I HAVE a wonderful memory of the day I met Diana. The date was September 9, 1992. 

She came to open our newly refurbished sterile services department at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

We were all so excited that we were going to meet her. She was dressed in a beautiful purple suit and came round to speak to us. 

She was lovely. The plaque with the details of her opening the department is still on our wall. 

She will never be forgotten as she will always be the “queen of our hearts”. 

Catherine Britton, via email