When Princess Diana was asked if she ever saw herself becoming queen, she responded, "I'd like to be a queen of people's hearts." And she certainly was. Diana was often called "the people's princess" because of her warm and relatable nature. She could connect with anyone, and she never treated people like they were beneath her simply because they weren't royal.
It was her status as the people's princess that led to so many devastated fans after her untimely death. They'd loved her so much during her life, and it was unimaginable for them to think that she was gone. But even decades later, Diana's legacy as a royal for everyday people persists. And you can see that in these photos of her attending charity events, interacting with fans, or spending time with her children. She really was the people's princess and queen of people's hearts.
Genuine Connections
No interaction Diana ever had looked fake. Whether she was meeting her adoring fans or talking to people through her charity efforts, it was clear that she was able to make real connections with everyone she met. That's what made her such a "people's princess." She was able to genuinely connect with others.
Expressing Concern
And because Diana could make those genuine connections with nearly everyone she met, she was also able to express genuine concern about their struggles. Here, she was photographed speaking to an AIDS patient, and her eyes were full of understanding and empathy. She may not have been able to relate to this man's health struggles on a personal level, but she undeniably cared about what he was going through.
Eye-to-Eye
Part of why Diana was able to make those connections was because she was always willing to get down to someone's level and look them in the eye. She never acted like she was above anyone she met — literally and metaphorically. And when you feel like a princess' equal, you see her as a princess who champions for you.
Admirers
Wherever the Diana went, she had admirers. This young man handed her a flower early on in her royal journey in 1981 — before she had married Prince Charles. And over the years, she would rack up so many loyal fans and supporters in all the places she visited. Even today, decades after her death, she has so many people who still love her.
Associating With the Staff
Not every royal has been kind and welcoming to their staff. Most of the time, people who work for the royal family have to follow strict rules. But Diana was all about breaking down those barriers. She would often spend quality time with her staff members, eating, talking, and joking around. She treated them like real people.
Wearing Jewelry To Entertain Kids
Diana reportedly wore what she called a "caring wardrobe" when she visited places like children's hospitals. That wardrobe included things like dangly jewelry and bright colors to entertain children, and she would never wear big hats so she could properly give hugs. We're sure the necklace she's wearing here is expensive, but she doesn't mind letting it be a toy.
Talking With Children
There was no hierarchy for Diana when it came to the importance of people she talked to. She would spend just as long chatting with a child as she would a foreign dignitary. And again, she was willing to bend down to speak to kids on their level instead of towering above them. It's a similar way Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton talk to their young fans, too.
Meaningful Handshake
Diana probably shook hands with thousands of people during her lifetime, but this was among the most meaningful. As part of her AIDS charity work, she would warmly greet patients with hugs and handshakes at a time when many people were fearful of getting near anyone who was HIV+. Diana helped turn the tide and show people that a simple handshake wasn't going to hurt anyone.
Comforting Presence
There was something about Diana that just seemed to set everyone at ease. When she visited young cancer patients in Pakistan, a couple of them quickly crawled into her lap. Perhaps they could sense she was a mother herself, but something about her just created such a safe space for those she met.
Actions, Not Just Words
Royals can make all the speeches they want and attend all the charity galas, but sometimes the most meaningful charity work is conveyed through action. Diana was never one to just speak on a subject — she wanted to experience it. When she dedicated time to her work to end the use of land mines, she actually went to active land mine fields. It wasn't necessarily safe, but Diana wanted to convey the realities of the situation through her own actions.
Always Good for a Laugh
Showing her emotions came easily to Diana. Her face always betrayed exactly how she was feeling — be it sad, mad, or glad. On this occasion, she was happy to share a laugh with a fashion designer at a charity event. And when Diana laughed, everyone laughed. She was just filled with such light and positivity, no one could help themselves.
Playing Around
Diana wasn't a "commoner" because her family is part of England's aristocracy. But she was definitely the most modern of all the royal family members at the time, which made her feel so much more accessible and relatable. Look at her sliding down a water ride with little Prince Harry. People like Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles would never.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Engaged With Her Kids' School
Diana is extremely relatable to us as mothers, because she would do whatever she could to be active in her children's lives. She even participated in a parents' field day at her sons' school. We just could never picture someone like Prince Charles sprinting with a bunch of dads from Prince William's class. Diana, though? It was second nature to her.
Good Listener
Wherever Diana traveled, she always seemed to want to get to know the local people. She was happy just to sit and listen to their stories and learn about their culture, like here when she visited Zimbabwe in 1993. She wasn't the kind of royal who talked at people or thought her own experiences were the most important. She was willing to expand her own world view.
Warm Hugs
Technically, hugs are against royal protocol because people aren't supposed to touch the royals. But Diana broke this rule all the time, especially with children. Since then, Meghan and Kate have broken the rule as well. Hugs are just how some people connect, and Diana understood that.
Bringing Smiles
The princess' effect on people was often captured on camera. When she stopped to talk to some fans during a royal tour, they couldn't stop smiling. Her effervescent personality was seemingly contagious and simply being in her presence brought joy to so many Diana fans. It's so wonder they were all so sad when she passed away.
Public Response to Her Death
Nothing illustrates Diana's impact better than looking at the pictures that followed her death. Thousands of fans grieved and left bouquets of flowers at the gates of her Kensington Palace home in London. So many people loved her and were devastated to lose her so young. But her impact as the people's princess will live on forever.
