Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993 TAG: 9312040007
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LONDON LENGTH: Short
Diana, 32, said Friday she knew living in the glare of publicity would be rough.
"But I was not aware of how overwhelming that attention would become; nor the extent to which it would affect both my public duties and my personal life, in a manner that has been hard to bear," she said in an emotional speech.
Charles, who separated from Diana a year ago, voiced a very different complaint last week: "Since the day I got married, people have chosen to ignore the things I continue to do day in and day out."
Diana said her decision to draw back from the spotlight was supported by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, "who have always shown me kindness and support."
But she didn't mention Charles. They will be free to divorce in a year.
"Over the next few months I will be seeking a more suitable way of combining a meaningful public role with, hopefully, a more private life," Diana told a luncheon sponsored by Headway, a charity involved with head injuries.
Diana is patron of 118 charities, and has been particularly involved in supporting AIDS patients, battered wives and a marriage counseling group.
The princess said she wanted to spend more time with her two boys, William, 11, and Harry, 9.
by CNB