Princess Diana might have been the most photographed woman in the world [1] during her lifetime, but her actions and words have formed just as big a part of her legacy as her image. The princess wasn't afraid to speak out [2] about issues that mattered to her, using her position to help others with her words. Over 20 years after her death, some of her most famous quotes remain uplifting and moving and remind us all that, throughout her life, Diana remained a compassionate and strong woman, devoted to her family [3] and to her causes.
Filled with kindness and wisdom, here are 10 Diana quotes that still inspire today.
On Helping Others
"The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other." — On a visit to Angola in 1997 [4]
"The biggest disease in this day and age is that of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give." — From her interview with Martin Bashir for BBC Panorama in 1995 [5]
"Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can." — Attributed to Diana by her biographer, Andrew Morton, in 1997
On Love
"Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back." — Quoted in The Guardian, 1995
"People think that at the end of the day, a man is the only answer. Actually, a fulfilling job is better for me." — From her interview with Martin Bashir for BBC Panorama in 1995 [6]
"I desperately loved my husband, and I wanted to share everything together, and I thought that we were a very good team." — From her interview with Martin Bashir for BBC Panorama in 1995 [7]
On Breaking the Rules
"I do things differently because I don't go by a rule book, because I lead from the heart, not the head, and albeit that's got me into trouble in my work; I understand that." — From her interview with Martin Bashir for BBC Panorama in 1995 [8]
On Being a Mother
"Hugging has no harmful side effects. If we all play our part in making our children feel valued, the result will be tremendous. There are potential huggers in every household." — From a speech made in 1992 [9]
"I want them to have an understanding of people's emotions, people's insecurities, people's distress, and people's hopes and dreams." — From her interview with Martin Bashir for BBC Panorama in 1995 [10]
"William has brought us such happiness and contentment, and consequently I can't wait for masses more." — After William's birth in 1982 [11]