Diana‘s Time Capsule Offers a glimpse into 1991 Britain
A time capsule deposited by Princess Diana at Great Ormond Street Hospital in london approximately 35 years ago has been unearthed, revealing a engaging collection of artifacts from 1991. The capsule feels like a message from the past, waiting to be rediscovered.The box contained items reflecting life in the early 90s, including a small laptop, a compact disc featuring Australian singer Kylie Minogue, a solar calculator, and a copy of The Times newspaper. These were chosen through a competition run by the British children’s program “blue Peter,” asking children to select eight items representing life in the decade.
Two children, David Watson (11) from Devon and Silva Volkswagen (9), won the competition and helped place the capsule in the hospital wall. David chose a CD, while Silva contributed British currency and a collection of tree seeds. The capsule offered a window into a pre-internet era, showcasing items that now highlight how much life has changed.
Originally slated to be opened on August 27, 2025, the capsule’s journey to the future was accelerated by hospital renovations. As part of the demolition of old buildings to make way for a new children’s cancer centre, hospital staff born in 1991 or working at the hospital at the time were invited to help retrieve it.
The revelation sparked nostalgia for some, like one staff member who recalled purchasing a similar pocket TV for her husband.The new cancer center, funded by a £300 million (approximately $403 million) campaign, will provide a child-focused environment for treatment, play, and learning.
For those born after the 1990s, some items may seem antiquated. the Casio TV430, with its small screen and limited battery life, and the relatively new compact disc format, offer a glimpse into a different technological landscape. Kylie Minogue, a rising star in Britain at the time, remains a global icon today. CDs were rapidly becoming the dominant musical format in 1991, surpassing cassettes and magnetic tapes.
This isn’t the first time capsule associated with Great Ormond Street Hospital. Another was laid by Princess Alexandra Caroline Mary when the hospital’s first building was founded in 1872, though that earlier capsule remains undiscovered.