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Britain-royal-Charles: Prince Charles pays tribute to Diana's work

Agence France-Presse - November 23, 2000 click here for portuguese language version click here for francais language version click here for espanol language version click here for deutsch language version

LONDON, Nov 23 (AFP) - Prince Charles paid tribute to his late wife Diana, Princess of Wales, when he visited an AIDS charity Thursday.

In a speech to officially open a London centre for children affected by the disease, the prince was treated to loud applause when he said: "Coming here today has reminded me of all the work that Diana did before she died.

"I'm sure she would be very pleased that I was here today," he added.

The visit was interpreted by British newspapers as a significant change in style for the prince, and seen by some as him taking on Diana's mantle.

He was introduced to patients whom Diana came to know during numerous visits to the Lighthouse centre in west London, and which she officially visited for the last time in 1996, a year before she died.

Diana was known for her campaign for AIDS victims, often surprising patients with unexpected visits and was credited with helping change public attitudes to the condition by being unafraid to touch and hug the dying.

Patient Michael Edwards said after the prince's visit: "Since the princess's death no one has taken on her mantle and his visit is very welcome."

Historian Andrew Roberts, writing in The Times newspaper on Thursday, said the prince's image-makers are deliberately trying to change him into "the new Diana".

"Until recently, Prince Charles has not much strayed into the touchy-feely, showbiz and politically left-liberal areas that for so long were dominated by Diana.

"Yet now, with that slot in British public life permanently vacated by the princess, he is increasingly to be found attending the sorts of occasions that used to be her special province."

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