After more than 30 years, workers have finally unearthed a time capsule that Princess Diana left at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
The capsule, buried in 1991 when Diana was serving as president of the hospital, contained a fascinating snapshot of the early 1990s.
PRINCESS DIANA’S TIME CAPSULE
Diana personally oversaw the project, but it was two children, Sylvia Foulkes and David Watson, who selected the items inside, according to People.
They won a contest on the popular children’s show Blue Peter and chose objects to represent life at that time.
The capsule included a hologram of a snowflake, a solar-powered calculator, British coins, and tree seeds from Kew Gardens.
There was also a sheet of recycled paper, a European passport, a pocket television and a copy of Kylie Minogue’s 1990 album Rhythm of Love.
PRINCESS DIANA’S LEGACY
Alongside these, there was a photo of Princess Diana, a recent edition of The Times newspaper and letters handwritten by the children.
Originally, the capsule was meant to remain sealed for centuries. However, new hospital construction forced the removal of the wall where the box was hidden. Hospital archivists carefully extracted it, noting some water damage but mostly excellent preservation.
Jason Dawson, director of Space and Place at Great Ormond Street, described the moment as “really quite moving. Like connecting with memories planted by a generation gone by.”
He added, “Items like the pocket calculator and pocket TV, once cutting-edge technology, now almost look like toys.”
CARE FOR THE FUTURE
This discovery holds special meaning beyond the UK. People may appreciate the time capsule’s tribute to innovation and care for future generations.
Just as Diana championed children’s health, South Africa continues to advance healthcare and nurture young lives.
Diana’s legacy lives on through her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who continue her charitable work.
SPIRIT OF KINDNESS
Prince Harry recently visited Angola to highlight landmine dangers, continuing a cause Diana championed in the 1990s.
“We all have a duty to protect children from the harms of war,” he said, a message resonant in many parts of Africa.
Great Ormond Street plans to bury a new time capsule after its renovations finish.
In this way, Diana’s spirit of kindness and forward thinking endures, reminding us all of the power of compassion across generations and continents.
HOW DO YOU THINK PRINCESS DIANA’S LEGACY IMPACTS CHILDREN’S CHARITIES TODAY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.