Reflections upon a Royal Mother … Diana, Princess of Wales
‘Truly a People’s Princess’
The recent celebrations of the glorious wedding of HRH Prince Henry of Wales, 2nd son of the late Diana, Princess of Wales and his bride Ms Meghan Markle — couple now known as Duke & Duchess of Sussex — have prompted many of us to reflect upon the occasion when the Mother of the Groom, Diana, married Prince Charles, Duke of Wales, a union, which, regrettably was ill fated and did not endure.
However, during Princess Diana’s all too brief role as Princess of Wales, she undertook her public roles with great dignity, flair and passion — especially in those occasions related to charitable work and the caring for the underprivileged.
Any social occasion/event, in which Princess Diana was in attendance, was made extra special by her presence no less her attendance at a reception hosted in her honour at the British Embassy in Kuwait by H.E. Peter Hinchcliffe.
It was both a privilege and an honour to be present at this event and it prompted me to record my own perceptions of this memorable evening and the role, true to her own unique style, which ‘Diana’ played in it.
The article was first published in the magazine ‘Update’ which, at that time, was issued by the Kuwait British Ladies Society.
By Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood
Director, Kuwait English School
and founder member of the B.L.S (Vice-President) 1993/94
All of us, in some way or another, feel her loss; there are no words to describe the emptiness left in so many hearts by the premature passing away of this beloved young woman, taken from us in her prime. The paradox is that Britain’s young “Queen of Hearts” should leave behind her so many broken ones.
Through the many facets of Diana’s life and personality were reflected, sometimes tinged with tragedy, so many elements of womanhood at its greatest and its best: a loving and caring mother, a compassionate supporter of a great number of life-improving causes, to so many, a friend. Truly a “People’s Princess”
Throughout her short life Diana never ceased to seek perfection, ironic that as a Princess, she invited the world to share so many of her vulnerabilities. But there is much joy to be shared in reflecting upon the life and deeds of Diana and I am sure that if we can, temporarily at least, put grieving aside, she would wish us to remember her through the good, positive and noble events of her time with us, rather than dwell on those associated with sadness.
These thoughts bring me to reflect back to March 1989 and the visit to Kuwait of Princess Diana (then HRH) as she accompanied her husband, HRH Charles Prince of Wales. All our hearts and spirits were captivated by the Royal couple as in such a short time, they wove themselves into so many aspects of life in Kuwait at that-pre-invasion time.
Focusing on joy , may I invite you to share an anecdote of a special evening in Kuwait, Monday 13th March 1989 when a reception in honour of the Royal couple was hosted by the British Ambassador at the time Peter Hinchcliffe and his wife. As always Diana looked resplendent, the colour of her long dress was purple, or to be more precise in tones of purple and mauve, the bodice studded with clusters of shimmering pastel toned bead-work. The same dress was recently auctioned for charity in New York.
As the Princess mingled with the people she stopped by one particular group with whom I was standing, gave a coy, yet glowing smile and then having lowered her eyes towards her bodice and waistline, she looked up again, addressed us with enquiring and concerned eyes: “I hope you like this dress ... (she again fingered the waistline where there was a broad cummerbund) it’s supposed to be Islamic ...”.
“A bright start has suddenly been blotted out” Lord Hurd, former Foreign Secretary of UK
Royal purple, long sleeves, long skirt, high neck … and with Diana’s unique beauty, how could it not be right. Our smiles and nods served to dissolve her concern. Of course she looked supreme and, as always, appropriate.
Diana moved on, her private detective discreetly shadowing her at every step; Prince Charles was performing his Royal duties by mingling elsewhere; the balcony at the Embassy had perhaps never seen or will ever see an evening so animated, so happy, so memorable — joy was in the air! In the background the combined bands of Kuwait English and New English School could be heard above the excited social chatter.
Another stop, another group for the Princess to address. Her laughing eye! alighted on a glass held in the hand of my then secretary’s Mrs Tricia Davies. husband. With her own particular brand of coquetry, Diana put her head to one side and with a mock look of serious concern asked John Davies : “May I ask you what you have in that glass’?” “Oh just Perrier Water”, came the prompt and honest replay (John was A teetotaller so fate had drawl her to the right person for an appropriate and acceptable answer) Diana transferred her glance from the glass to John’s fact and then she spontaneously confessed: “I was not supposed to ask, so I am ...” Wasn’t that Diana? Her own person.