I don't even know how to use a parking meter, let alone a phone

"I don't even know how to use a parking meter, let alone a phone box." These words by Princess Diana resonate with a deep and human truth: that, in the face of immense public responsibility, even those who seem to have everything may still feel overwhelmed by the simple, everyday tasks that most take for granted. The royal life, filled with grandeur, luxury, and the weight of expectation, can create a barrier between an individual and the ordinary world. Diana’s remark speaks not just to a lack of practical knowledge but to the disconnection that can occur when one is bound by a role that is larger than life itself.

Throughout history, great leaders and figures of power have often found themselves caught between two worlds—the world of duty and the world of the everyday. Alexander the Great, for example, though a king and conqueror, found little time for the mundane experiences of daily life. His focus was on leading armies and building an empire, not on tending to the small details that shaped the lives of ordinary people. Yet, even Alexander, like Diana, was aware that his responsibilities created a distance from the simple joys and struggles of everyday existence. Rulers, no matter their power, are often isolated from the lives of those they serve, unable to fully connect with the simple, human experiences that are the foundation of life.

In this light, Princess Diana’s words serve as a reflection of the dual nature of her life. Her role as a princess demanded grace, poise, and an understanding of complex social dynamics, yet it also removed her from the very essence of the world that most people live in. A parking meter and a phone box, two mundane aspects of daily life, symbolized something Diana did not experience—a life governed by independence and self-sufficiency. Diana, despite her beauty and fame, was unable to grasp even the most basic tools that connect people to their world in a practical sense. This reveals the cost of the royal life, the disconnection from the simple, grounding activities that we often take for granted.

The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates once declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” While Diana's life was under constant scrutiny, her remark about the lack of experience with such basic tools reveals something deeper about the examined life. She was constantly under a magnifying glass, but her reflections on the simplest things suggest an internal yearning to reconnect with the common life—the life of the people, where genuine experience of the world, the simple and the complex, can be fully embraced. Diana’s self-awareness about her disconnection from everyday life adds depth to her humanity, reminding us that no matter how powerful or celebrated one becomes, the essence of being human lies in those everyday actions, in being part of the world around us.

Her words also speak to the universal human experience of being thrown into situations beyond our control, of feeling out of place despite our roles or status. Much like Moses, who was raised in the palace of Pharaoh but spent his later years wandering in the wilderness, Diana was simultaneously part of a world of luxury and expectation, yet also deeply disconnected from it. Moses, too, found himself out of touch with both the life of his Egyptian upbringing and the humble existence of the Israelites. Similarly, Diana’s comment reflects the loneliness that often accompanies the pursuit of greatness or leadership, where one is isolated by their role, unable to fully integrate with the lives of others.

The lesson here is that the ordinary has value beyond what we often recognize. In the rush to achieve, in the climb to the heights of success, we can sometimes lose sight of the simple, everyday experiences that connect us all. Diana’s self-deprecating humor about her inability to use a parking meter or a phone box is not a statement of weakness but a candid acknowledgment of the sacrifices inherent in a life of public service. It reminds us that true humility and self-awareness often come from recognizing our limitations and gaps, even in the most seemingly trivial aspects of life.

In our own lives, let us take heed of Diana’s words. Whether in leadership or in daily tasks, we must never lose sight of the value of simplicity, the grounding that comes from engaging with the world directly and authentically. Let us ensure that, in our pursuit of success, we do not become disconnected from the very people and experiences that give life its depth and meaning. Humility, self-awareness, and the willingness to remain connected to the world around us will make us not just better leaders but more whole individuals. Let us live our lives with openness, appreciating both the grandeur and the simplicity of our shared human existence.