TOP OF THE CLASS AT CHARM SCHOOL

Princess Diana RADIATED calm, POISE and BEAUTY. But she also had charisma and ENERGY

Marilyn Monroe had it. So did Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Dean. The late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher possessed it by the bucketload, as did Princess Diana. No, we’re not talking beauty – though these were all attractive people. What they all had in common was charisma.

I was lucky enough to meet The Iron Lady on my first day as a journalist at a national news agency. She was with her husband Denis for a media meet and greet and for some reason he was on a motorbike – and managed to get the helmet stuck on his head. Cue my first splash on the Daily Mail and a glimpse at the sophisticated and charming way Margaret dealt with it. ‘Come along now, Denis,’ she said, much like you’d talk to a child. Then as we all took notes, and photographs, she smiled and laughed while prising his head free.

It was a lesson in unflappability and showed clearly why she was residing at Number 10 Downing Street – because nothing could shake her charisma. The same was true of Diana, who I met twice – once at a barbecue and again during a walkabout. She radiated calm, poise and beauty – her face, teeth and eyes literally shone – but she also had charisma and energy. Even though there were thousands of people lining the streets to meet her, she went from one side of the road to the other, lasering in on the children, grannies, mums and dads she met, making each one feel special.

And that’s the secret of charm, according to our feature on page 34. You need to give your undivided attention to every person you meet, even if it’s just for 10 seconds. According to the charisma coach our writer Colin Drury interviewed, we should enrich everyone we meet with every encounter. A tall order perhaps, but we tell you how to fake it until you (charmingly) make it. Until next week!