Real life Lady shows the power of working for good causes

Once upon a time, every little girl grew up wanting to be a princess.

They would imagine being dressed in a gorgeous, voluminous ball gown, tiara and cathedral-length train, and dream of the day their prince charming would arrive astride his trusty steed, slay the dragon, and they would ride off together into the sunset and live happily ever after.

I’m so grateful that my daughter is growing up in an era where we have a new breed of princess and they, frankly, kick arse.

A far cry from the mewling, hanky-waving creatures of old who waited to be rescued by a blond, blue-eyed stud with a six-pack, the new generation of fantasy princesses — or so Disney and Pixar tell us — are more likely to be the ones doing the slaying while the doe-eyed princes sit slack-jawed on the sidelines.

And so it is with our real-life monarchy. Yes, everyone loved Princess Diana’s wedding dress, but she was loved more for her devotion to charitable causes. Today, her successors are following in her footsteps.

A hit with the public, the young monarchy has branded itself as a good-deeds tour de force. Down to earth, yet fashionable, the likes of Kate and Meghan have put charity at the heart of their public lives.

This month, Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer will land on our shores to lend a hand with a charitable cause close to the heart of every West Australian, Telethon.

In doing so she shows why every little girl — or boy — can aspire to become royalty.

The likes of Lady Kitty are redefining what it means to hold a title. It can no longer be seen as just a life of vast wealth, castles, endless parties, and those voluminous dresses, though that D&G number Lady Kitty wore to Harry and Meghan’s wedding was simply fabulous. It’s about using their influence and growing public profile for good.

I will be one of a number of lucky West Australians to meet Lady Kitty this month at a Telethon charity high tea (shameless plug, you too can come along, tickets are available at telethon7.com/ news-events/events/articles/ lady-kittys- tea-party/).

I know that, inevitably, a part of me will covet whatever she’ll be wearing, but more so her incredible power to create real and lasting change in this world.