The legacy of kindness and acceptance of the late Diana, Princess of Wales is needed today more than ever, according to a leading charity she was involved with.
Peter Waddup, chief executive of The Leprosy Mission, said her public demonstration of kindness and acceptance remains essential in the countries where The Leprosy Mission works today. Her legacy is especially something to aspire to in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Princess Diana, whose 60th birthday would have been today, spoke at a global anti-leprosy conference in London in 1996 where she said: “It’s always been my concern to touch people with leprosy, trying to show in a simple action that they are not reviled nor are we repulsed.”
In honour of her role as philanthropist and humanitarian as a royal, a statue of Princess Diana is to be unveiled today at Kensington Palace. Both the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex will be attending. Ahead of the ceremony, Prince Harry said: “Never be afraid to do what's right. Stand up for what you believe in and trust that when you live by truth and in service to others, people will see that just as they did with my mum.”
When Princess Diana reduced her patronage of almost 100 charities down to six in 1996, she chose to continue in her role as patron of the Leprosy Mission. She carried on showing a real heart for the cause and for reaching out to people on the fringes of society. She would make headlines by being willing to touch people affected by the disease.
Mr Waddup said: “Covid has had a completely devastating effect in the countries where we work. Leprosy is a leading cause of preventable disability and is a disease that thrives where people live in poverty. It is completely heart-breaking, because if leprosy is found and treated at its early stages then people are likely to live lives free from disability. Evidence already points to the fact that for every person treated with leprosy there are a further 19 ‘hidden cases’ needing to be found and cured.”
He said a lack of access to healthcare and stigma are the two biggest challenges when it comes to ridding the world of leprosy.
Regarding the Princess’s work as patron of the Leprosy Mission, he said: “Princess Diana was a superb patron of The Leprosy Mission.
“We need to remember the Princess’s legacy of kindness and acceptance by raising awareness of the disease so that people will recognise its early symptoms and seek treatment without fear of rejection from their family, friends and communities.
“This is even more paramount in the days of this terrible pandemic where government resources simply will not be there to find these people.”
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