Diana surprises homeless

A SURPRISE late-night chat with Princess Diana livened up an evening in Westminster Cathedral Hall for the 40 homeless men and women who shelter there.
The princess, who arrived unannounced at the hall last week after a short visit to Cardinal flume at nearby Archbishop's House, spent nearly an hour speaking to the 32 men and eight women who were in the shelter that night. The scheme, under which 40 homeless people are allowed to sleep on mattresses on the floor overnight, was started last December and will continue indefinitely.
Cathedral administrator, Mgr Pat O'Donoghue, said he and others present had been extremely impressed at how well the Princess of Wales blended into the scene and how she managed to chat to each one of the homeless people present.
"She talked quietly to people, and obviously found it very easy to speak to them," he said. "They were all quite delighted with her visit — it came as a tremendous surprise to them."
The Princess has close links with the Passage Day Centre for the Homeless nearby, and has taken an interest in the project to open the Cathedral Hall to people with nowhere else to sleep.