Daniel Jones Diary

Diana and her Dancers

Diana and her Dancers

Concert for Diana was indeed a unique event. I was lucky enough to have a great seat in the new Wembley Stadium and see the company that I have been with for most of my life grace the stage with beauty and finesse.
Stars of the concert included Elton John, Duran Duran, present stars, and future legends, entertaining in front of an audience that varied from Princes to the homeless.
But despite the excitement that was thrust upon the world via live broadcast and the internet I couldn’t help thinking, was it right to be feeling so good when all I really wanted was Diana to walk into the next rehearsal at English National Ballet and say
“So, what’s happening today?”

1981 was the centenary of my Junior School, Hassell Primary, and the school decided to link the celebrations with Charles and Diana’s wedding. It was a year of great celebration in Newcastle-under-Lyme and one that sticks out from my early childhood. As a child I never even dreamed I would actually get to meet the Princess, but unbeknownst to me, Diana and I had a shared passion. Ballet.

The first time I ever saw Diana face to face was when I was at The Royal Ballet Lower School. I remember she planted a tree on one of the school’s lawns and as I watched her grace the school in a pretty yellow suit I was completely fascinated.

My first meeting with Princess Diana Photo © Daniel Jones

In 1992, when I joined English National Ballet, I was overjoyed that Diana was the company’s Patron and it wasn’t long before I met her once more.
Throughout the five years that Diana remained with the company most of her visits were quite informal. Indeed there were carefully organised visits where we were surrounded by her press hounds, but there were many occasions where she simply turned up unannounced. I can’t describe how special her presence and support made the dancers feel. Often she would question us about what was in production, and in her naturally charming way, it seemed she also enjoyed hearing about any company gossip.

There were even moments when Diana would surprise the dancers with touching displays of affection. I will never forget the giant Valentines cake that appeared in the green room which was to all the dancers from Diana. It was a simple gesture that once again uplifted us all and inspired us to be proud of our company of which she was obviously proud to represent.
It may be just over ten years since she sat amongst the swans at the Royal Albert Hall for what would be her final photo call with the company, but for the dancers that were lucky enough to know her, she will be forever in our most treasured memories.