A Princess Diana time capsule buried more than three decades ago has been unearthed at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, revealing intimate objects and nostalgic memories from the early 1990s.
The capsule, a wooden box lined with lead, was sealed in 1991 when the hospital laid the foundation stone for a new building. Princess Diana, then named honorary president of the institution, personally helped select the items along with two children who won a contest. The building was inaugurated in 1994, but the box remained hidden underground until its unexpected opening on August 27, 2025.
What was inside the Princess Diana time capsule?
Among the objects uncovered were:
- A Kylie Minogue record
- A pocket-sized TV
- A solar calculator
- A disposable camera
- A comic book
- A copy of The Times newspaper
- A photograph of Princess Diana
- British coins, tree seeds in a bottle, recycled paper, and a snowflake hologram
These everyday items captured the essence of early ’90s culture and reflected Diana’s connection to ordinary life.
A moment of nostalgia
For those who witnessed both the burial and the reopening, the discovery was deeply moving. “Seeing that pocket TV brought back so many memories. I once bought one for my husband so he could watch during his bus breaks. They were so expensive back then!” said Janet Holmes, a hospital worker present in 1991.
Why was it opened earlier than planned?
The time capsule was originally meant to stay sealed for “hundreds of years.” However, the hospital’s need for space to build a new pediatric oncology unit led to its early unveiling.
Now, more than 30 years later, the Princess Diana time capsule not only offers a glimpse into the 1990s but also revives the enduring memory of the People’s Princess and her lasting bond with Great Ormond Street Hospital.
