Princess ‘tireless, hard-working’

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 12

Princess ‘tireless, hard-working’

NZPA-PA London Officials of a British charity say the Princess of Wales is a tireless, hard-working person • far removed from the dizzy disco image the news media tries to paint of her. The Princess is president of Barnardo’s charity which looks after deprived children. A spokesman for the charity confirmed that Princess Diana had made secret visits to the homes of handicapped children, youngsters in trouble and families under stress. She had also joined management meetings where she took part in discussions and made notes. “It is nice that we have

the future Queen as our president,” said the Barnardo’s spokesman. “But what we also have is a young woman who is keenly interested and makes a real input into our work. She works very hard behind the scenes. “There are private visits and examples where she has specifically asked us to set up a meeting with people Barnardo’s work with, without the glare of the cameras.” She described one meeting when the Princess visited a foster family and a 14-year-old girl with emotional problems. “The youngster came home from school and found the Princess of Wales in the living room,” she said.

“The Princess ; had brought them flowers. She said that wherever she went on Barnardo’s work, people gave her flowers, so, this time, she wanted to give flowers.” The Princess’s visits for management meetings were also kept secret from most members of staff until after she had arrived at the charity’s East London headquarters, the spokesman said. “We find her very sensitive, . very well informed,” the spokesman said. “She gets on very well with tiny tots and has a rapport with adolescents and ordinary people. It’s really very special. She is a working Princess.” Buckingham Palace would not comment on the Princess’s visits.