Photo: Getty Images. Princess Dianna sitting with amputees, victims of landmines, Angola, 1997. Dianna as many will remember ignited opposition to the use of landmines which resulted in the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty and drew attention to the work of the Halo Trust whose work is clearing mines and advocacy against mines and weapons of war. She had that inner beauty, photos of her shaking hands with lepers, sitting with HIV sufferers, visiting homeless shelters and os on. I’m not a monarchist, but her work was of a different order.
“I’d read the statistics that Angola has the highest percentage of amputees anywhere in the world … that one person in every 333 had lost a limb, most of them through land mine explosions. But that hadn’t prepared me for the reality.” Dianna Spencer
Beautiful Advocate
So beautiful, those legs, her …
And such a mind, but O her heart,
her beauty drew the cameras,
merely a stage for the inner beauty
of her compassion for the world.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
Lovely.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Many thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I worked on a government project that was inspired by Princess Diana. Besides being against land mines, she also spoke out against cluster bombs, which is a shell that contains about 250 individual bombs inside of it. Many of the bombs did not explode on impact like they were supposed to do and children would find them on the ground and pick them up and loose their limbs. I worked on a special battery that went inside this self destruct fuse to ensure that every bomb which did not explode on impact, went off a few seconds later. She was a very courageous lady.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Yes, I remember the public outcry over clusters, macabre. What a job, positive within a negative. Yes, I think she was brave on many levels, she stood amongst giants. Thank you so much for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana was so amazing. I wish there were more like her. I have high hopes for the newest royals, and admire their desire to change things, even while being so taunted.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, she showed a different way, and her children are her legacy in that regard, thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
It takes courage and a sense of hope to enter that world, especially with children.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It sure does, she really used her power and position well.
LikeLike
She always appeared so comfortable in situations which would make others squirm….because that’s when she could be herself.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yes, I think that was her greatest strength.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An admirable one, indeed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was a beautiful person inside outside.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Absolutely Megha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good use of the prompt! ❤
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you very much Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful words, Paul.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for that.
LikeLike
She really did set an example for the world. Such a loss.
LikeLiked by 4 people
A great loss, yes, a great example that has encouraged so many.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fitting tribute to Dianna and her legacy.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Many thanks Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this post, Paul.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Amy. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful tribute to a caring and gentle soul.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, she had a strength about her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you for remembering a good soul and good work, your poem was exquisite to me
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful … both the picture and the poem.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m not a royalist, but I certainly admired her, she stood above the rest (I’ll stop there otherwise there will be a long rant on privilege etc. etc.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here … she had genuine compassion.
LikeLiked by 2 people
She really was an inspiration. I’ve an idea that Harry, will be forging a similar path, now freed (at least to some extent) from ‘The Firm’.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, I feel that too, I think he’s very like his mother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. She accomplished a lot in her few years. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My pleasure Patricia, yes she really was.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Many Thanks Charles
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful written! I apologize for the late revisit. Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
No need to apologise Michael, always glad when you can make – life gets busy. Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:-)) Thank you, Paul!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
A most beautiful individual with a beautiful soul. Lovely poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she really was, and her legacy lingers, thank you for that lovely thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful poem about a beautiful women inside and out as you said
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we forget the real person so often, thank you Lyn.
LikeLike