Although the British Royal Family is wholly interesting, only a handful of figures have captivated the public like Princess Diana. Known for her warmth, kindness, humility, and tendency to break royal protocols, the Princess continues to be loved and admired even after all these years of her passing.
On the other hand, we have Kate Middleton, the wife of Diana’s firstborn, Prince William. A fashion icon, Middleton is also famous in pop culture but would never come as close to her mother-in-law when it comes to true charm!
Princess Diana Remains an Icon Even Today
Born into British nobility, Princess Diana certainly grew up surrounded by royalty, and eventually became the first wife to King Charles. Throughout her marriage to Charles, the Princess of Wales challenged the British Royal norms, becoming a true cultural icon, a status she still carries today.
From her iconic fashion choices to her acts of charity and philanthropy, her efforts in making the world a better place were certainly influential. Yet, at her core, she remained a dedicated mother to Prince William and Prince Harry. A fact that can be proven when she broke royal protocols and ran barefoot at their school race.
While sending Prince William and Prince George ‘outside’ to attend a preschool was a big deal and against royal protocols, Princess Di followed it by competing in their preschool’s parent races (see CNN). Going against royal protocol, she ran barefoot along with other parents, proving that not even her ‘royal connection’ could keep her from being a hands-on mother.
Princess Diana Running Barefoot is Now an Iconic Image
While Kate Middleton has all the grace, poise, charm, and sensibility of being a royal, she can hardly compete with her mother-in-law when it comes to being cool. Having a legacy that no one can truly capture or surpass, there was a unique spark to the Princess of Wales that continues to make her relevant even today.
Back in 1991, Diana was captured attending Prince Harry’s Sports Day event at Wetherby School. While little Harry competed in several races, Diana did not hold back when it came to the Parents’ race. Running barefoot in the grass, she might not have won, but she did win millions of hearts for going all in (see Pop Sugar).
Her running barefoot in the grass while wearing a skirt and blazer, despite being a royal and being intensely focused, is an image that continues to define her as a mother today. While her humanitarian work and bold fashion choices are famous and inspiring, it is equally inspiring to see that not even ‘being royal’ could keep her away from being a normal person.
A scene that continues to embody Diana’s unmatched spirit and approachability, today, it is hard to imagine any royal family member ditching royal decorum to run barefoot in a race.
