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16 inspiring Princess Diana moments

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honour Diana in the naming of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, we look back at some of the late Princess's most inspiring moments.
By Amy Lewis
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1

Family is the most important

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A doting mother, Diana was once quoted as saying, 'Family is the most important thing in the world.'

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2

Kids should be kids

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Diana did her best to give William and Harry as balanced a childhood as possible - fairly tricky, given their position!

From picnics and family holidays, to trips to theme parks (she went on the water rides!), Diana wanted her kids to be just that.

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3

Charity work

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Diana's extensive charity work is well documented, but she did just as much for charity from behind the scenes, as she did when captured on camera.

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4

Landmines

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The Princess of Wales risked angering government ministers by supporting British Red Cross and the HALO Trust in their call for an international ban on landmines.

In one of her most iconic pictures, Diana even donned the gear and took a tour of a danger zone to help spread the message.

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5

Farewell conservative dress code

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The Royal Family may have expected Diana to adhere to a conservative dress code, but as the years went on, she had other (quite fabulous) plans!

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6

Raising awareness for HIV/AIDS

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Much of Diana's charity work was dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS charities.

'HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it,' Diana said.

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7

Helping the homeless

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Here, Diana gives a speech at the Centrepoint Conference for the Homeless in 1995, to help raise funds and awareness for charities supporting those living on the streets.

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8

Forget the no touching rule

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Kate might be one for breaking the 'no touching the Royals' rule, but so was Diana. Especially when it came to giving children a hug!

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9

Helping the vulnerable

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'Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society,' said Diana of her charity work.

'It is a goal and an essential part of my life - a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.'

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10

The John Travolta dance

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On a visit to America in 1985, Diana famously broke the mould by taking to the dancefloor with Saturday Night Fever star John Travolta.

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11

With Mother Teresa

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Mother Teresa and Diana died within six days of each other, and were said to have shared a mutual respect over the years, occasionally writing letters.

When they met in June 1997, Diana walked hand-in-hand with the nun through the New York Bronx, while discussing charity issues.

'The biggest disease this day and age is that of people feeling unloved.' - Diana

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12

Bringing about change

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We might be seeing a very modern Royal Family at the moment - Princess Charlotte's recent birth was announced by the palace on Twitter! But it was Diana who kick-started that change.

She believed that 'It's vital that the monarchy keeps in touch with the people. It's what I try and do.'

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13

On the school run

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She might have been Princess of Wales, but she still dropped her boys off at school!

'I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.' - Diana

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14

Random acts of kindness

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'Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.' - Diana

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15

Throwing out the rule book

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'I don't go by the rule book... I lead from the heart, not the head.' - Diana

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16

A free spirit

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'I like to be a free spirit. Some don't like that, but that's the way I am.' - Diana

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