How to Be Like Princess Diana: 23 Exercises & Activities

How does Princess Diana’s legacy continue to inspire today? What leadership qualities made her the “People’s Princess”?

If you’ve ever wondered how to be like Princess Diana, Ken Wharfe’s insights provide a unique glimpse into her life and character. In his book Diana, Wharfe (her personal protection officer) shares intimate details about her humanitarian work, privacy struggles, and quest for independence.

Keep reading to discover practical exercises inspired by Diana’s life that can help you embody her compassion, resilience, and authenticity in your own journey.

Image credit: John MacIntyre via Paisley Scotland (License)

How to Be Like Princess Diana

From the perspective of her personal protection officer, Ken Wharfe’s book Diana offers an intimate portrayal of the late Princess of Wales. Wharfe chronicles Diana’s quest for genuine connections and her desire for privacy amidst the unyielding scrutiny of the media spotlight. Based on details in Wharfe’s biography, we’ve put together several exercises that can show you how to be like Princess Diana, whether it’s dedicating yourself to charitable causes, fighting for your privacy, or breaking free from constraints on your freedom and forging your own path.

Diana’s Humanitarian Efforts

Diana effectively used her royal position and charitable activities to build a resonant public image while maintaining authentic commitment to humanitarian causes. Wharfe describes her genuine dedication through various examples, particularly highlighting her work with AIDS patients, the International Red Cross, and the Leprosy Mission. Her courage was evident in her visits to terminally ill patients and willingness to engage with marginalized communities despite social stigmas. Through organizations like Relate, she promoted mental health and family welfare. According to Wharfe, Diana’s humanitarian efforts were motivated by a sincere desire to create positive global impact.

Exercises & Activities

1. Incorporate AIDS awareness into your book club or reading group by selecting a book that deals with the topic for your next read. Discussing the book’s themes and characters can help normalize the conversation around AIDS and encourage empathy and understanding within your social circle.
2. Use social media to raise awareness about the impact of land mines. Create and share content that highlights the dangers of land mines and the importance of their eradication. You could share articles, survivor stories, or infographics that educate your network about the issue, potentially inspiring others to take action or support the cause.
3. Write a personal blog post or an op-ed for a local newspaper about an issue that matters to you, connecting it to your own experiences. This personal touch can make the issue more relatable to readers and inspire them to take action or learn more.
4. Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy. Use platforms such as Instagram or Facebook to share facts, stories, and updates about the fight against these diseases, tagging and supporting reputable organizations that work in this field to increase their visibility and potential donations.
5. Volunteer to read books or play music over a video call to residents of care facilities. This can be a one-time event or a regular activity, and it allows you to engage with individuals who might have limited access to social interactions, especially during times when in-person visits are not possible.
6. Engage in deep conversations with friends or family members about their thoughts on mortality and courage. Create a safe space where you can discuss fears, hopes, and experiences related to death without judgment. This can strengthen your relationships, provide mutual support, and help you practice having courageous conversations that many people avoid.
7. Volunteer for a role that requires empathy, such as a listener on a helpline or a visitor for a hospice. These roles often provide training that can help you develop a compassionate disposition. By actively listening and providing support to those in need, you’ll practice compassion in real-life situations, which can then translate into your everyday interactions.
8. Start a conversation with someone who seems isolated or neglected in your daily life, such as an elderly neighbor or a co-worker who often eats alone. This simple act of reaching out can make a significant difference in someone’s day and can break down social barriers that lead to people being overlooked.
9. Educate yourself on mental health first aid to better support those around you. There are online courses and resources that teach you how to recognize signs of mental distress and provide initial help. This knowledge can be invaluable in offering support to someone until they can get professional help.
10. Implement a “skill-swap Saturday” where family members teach each other something new, whether it’s a recipe, a craft, or how to manage a budget. This not only promotes learning and personal development but also strengthens family bonds by sharing knowledge and experiences.
11. Create a peer support group to foster open communication and support among friends or colleagues. Identify a common interest or need, such as stress management or work-life balance, and organize regular meet-ups. These gatherings could be informal coffee chats or structured discussions, providing a platform for sharing experiences and advice, thus replicating the supportive environment found in professional organizations on a smaller scale.
12. Identify a personal asset or unique quality you possess and connect it with a cause you’re passionate about to create a small-scale awareness campaign. For example, if you’re an excellent baker, you could start a “Bake for Change” initiative where you sell your goods and donate the proceeds to a local charity, using your culinary skills to draw attention and support for the cause.
13. Create a “Kindness Ripple” journal where you document one act of kindness you perform each day and note any positive effects you observe.

Diana’s Struggle for Privacy and Normalcy

Wharfe’s book describes Princess Diana’s attempts to escape constant surveillance by the media and the public. While she recognized media influence, she resented their intrusion, especially regarding her children, which increased her desire to find privacy and normalcy.

Exercises & Activities

1. Develop a personal support system by identifying a small, trusted group of friends or family members. These should be people who understand the importance of discretion and offer emotional support without judgment. When you’re dealing with personal matters, turn to this group instead of venting in public forums where your privacy can be compromised.
2. Enhance your online privacy by using search engines and social media platforms that prioritize user privacy. Instead of the mainstream options, opt for services that do not track your activity or share your data with third parties.
3. Create a “Think Twice” rule for decisions that carry potential risks. Before acting on an impulse that could lead to harm or significant life changes, commit to waiting a set period, such as 24 hours, to reconsider the decision with a clear mind.
4. Enhance your personal space security by investing in privacy-focused home improvements. This could include installing high-quality window treatments that prevent outsiders from looking in, using privacy filters on computer screens, and setting up a secure home network that guards against digital intrusions.
5. Schedule ‘media fasts’ where you consciously avoid news, social media, and television for a set period, such as a weekend or a certain day of the week. Use this time to engage in activities that ground you, such as reading or spending time in nature, to cultivate peace away from external noise.

Diana’s Quest for Self-Identity and Independence

Diana’s post-separation period was marked by her determined quest for independence and personal identity. She strived to break free from both her husband’s influence and the monarchy’s constraints, despite palace officials’ attempts to control her public image by limiting her appearances and removing her from the Court Circular. These restrictions only strengthened her resolve for autonomy. Diana deeply desired freedom from royal duties, contemplating a complete separation from the royal family. She envisioned a new life focused on charitable work that would transcend her aristocratic background, seeing herself as a “champion of the people.” As her frustration with the monarchy grew, she actively sought to forge a path independent of the royal institution.

Exercises & Activities

1. Create a “Letting Go” journal where you document the process and benefits of reducing your obligations. Use this journal to track the commitments you’re considering stepping back from, the reasons for doing so, and the outcomes of your decisions. For instance, if you decide to reduce your volunteer hours, note how this change affects your daily routine, stress levels, and personal relationships over time.
2. Create a charity-focused book club with friends or community members. Choose books that inspire social change and discuss ways to take action on the issues presented. This can be a stepping stone to larger charitable initiatives and a way to build a like-minded support network.
3. Create a vision board that represents your aspirations and desired path. A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and dreams. Gather images, quotes, and items that symbolize the life you want to lead and arrange them on a board. Place this board somewhere you will see it daily as a reminder of your personal aspirations. This can serve as a motivational tool to keep you focused on creating your own path.
4. Develop a personal “Freedom Plan” with actionable steps to increase autonomy. Set aside time to outline specific actions you can take to reduce feelings of constraint in your life. This could include setting boundaries, delegating tasks, or pursuing new opportunities. For example, if family obligations leave you feeling trapped, you might arrange a family meeting to discuss how responsibilities can be shared more equitably.
5. Volunteer for a role in a local community group that aligns with your values and where you can serve as a voice for others. This could be a neighborhood council, a school board, or a non-profit organization. In this role, focus on raising issues that affect the group and proposing solutions, thereby practicing advocacy on a small scale.