Princess Diana's 1991 Great Ormond Street Hospital Time Capsule Reveals 1990s Memorabilia
A 1991 time capsule sealed by Princess Diana at Great Ormond Street Hospital was opened during preparations for a new children's cancer centre, uncovering iconic 1990s items like a Kylie Minogue CD, pocket TV and more.
Time Capsule Unearthed at Great Ormond Street Hospital
A lead-encased wooden box buried by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1991 during the foundation of the hospital's Variety Club Building was opened ahead of the construction of a new children's cancer centre. The capsule, originally intended for discovery centuries later, offers a snapshot of early 1990s life.
Objects from the 1990s
Two young winners of a Blue Peter competition, David Watson and Sylvia Foulkes, helped select ten items to represent the era. Among the treasures unearthed were:
- A Kylie Minogue "Rhythm of Love" CD featuring hits like "Better the Devil You Know".
- A solar-powered calculator, recycled paper sheet and a passport.
- A British coin collection, five tree seeds and a snowflake hologram.
- A pocket TV and a copy of The Times newspaper from the burial date.
A Lasting Legacy
Princess Diana, who served as the hospital's president from 1989 until her death in 1997, personally visited and supported Great Ormond Street Hospital. The newly planned cancer centre aims to become a national hub for childhood cancer treatment, offering kinder, more effective therapies.
Archivists noted minor damage but found the items largely intact. Staff present in 1991 and colleagues born that year helped retrieve the capsule. The ceremony echoes an 1872 event when the then Princess of Wales sealed another time capsule, which remains lost.
The time capsule provides a vivid snapshot of early 1990s life and underscores the enduring legacy of Diana's care for the hospital's youngest patients.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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