her babysitter was dating their future king

 

If you like stories or documentaries about Diana Princess of Wales, a good one to watch is this one, on You Tube:

The Real Story Behind Princess Diana's Incredible Life

uploader / channel:  Real Royalty

        This video has people in it whose Diana stories I have never heard - Ruth Rudge, the headmistress at West Heath boarding school where Diana went; Mary Robertson, the American woman whose baby son Diana took care of when Mrs. Robertson went to work.  

        I enjoyed hearing from these people.

One of the commentators from West Heath talked about how Diana liked to be doing  things, to be busy, to help.  She would help the gardener outside, and the domestic staff indoors.  "She didn't mind what it was, as long as she felt she was helping."

        (I can relate to that - I like to help, too, though I didn't really think of it that way, consciously.)

Diana even received a prize at West Heath, for "helpfulness."

Mrs. Robertson said after it became public knowledge that Prince Charles was dating Lady Diana Spencer, Diana still came to work most days when she was scheduled, but a few times she had to call and say she couldn't come because her apartment building and surrounding streets and neighborhood were swamped with members of the press.

        Then Mrs. Robertson had to call in to her work because she had no child care.  She said her work didn't mind because people there thought it was so exciting that her babysitter was "dating their future king."

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        When I was growing up, in the 1960s and early '70s, there was an emphasis on contributing to society, on social conscience, on trying to "make the world a better place," if that isn't too 'corny.'

        After I graduated from college I became very focused on making money, having a good job, and I kind of set aside thoughts of trying to make things better.  After a few years in the workforce, I got reminded of the idea that besides helping yourself, you should make a positive social contribution as well.  

The reminder was a news story which I probably read about in People magazine where Princess Diana had visited  AIDS patients - and she shook hands with them, without gloves.  It was a big deal because there was a lot of stigma and fear around the idea of a person who had AIDS - many people were afraid to be around them or shake their hand or whatever, because they didn't want to get sick too.

It was the Eighties.

And I thought how Diana made a difference, or a point, with a simple handshake, and friendly, outgoing, personal attention.  That made an impact on me.

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