A time capsule sealed by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1991 was opened at the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, uncovering objects that capture the spirit of the 1990s. The capsule was removed to make way for a new children’s cancer treatment center. Diana, who served as the hospital’s president from 1989, participated in the sealing ceremony, which marked the foundation of the Variety Club Building. The lead-lined box contained items like a Kylie Minogue CD, a pocket TV, and a European passport, chosen by Diana and two children who won a national contest. The opening, conducted in early 2025, stirred emotions among staff and revived memories of a transformative era. The event underscores Diana’s enduring legacy at GOSH, a leading children’s hospital in central London.
The capsule, meant to remain sealed for centuries, was opened earlier than planned due to construction needs. The 1991 ceremony, led by Diana, echoed a similar event in 1872 when Princess Alexandra sealed a capsule that remains lost.
Symbolic items: Objects chosen to represent life in the 1990s.
Children’s involvement: Two young winners of a BBC contest selected items.
Diana’s legacy: Her connection to GOSH remains a focal point.
Items that define a decade
The capsule revealed objects that vividly reflect the 1990s, many preserved despite some water damage. A standout was the Rhythm of Love CD by Kylie Minogue, featuring hits like Better the Devil You Know, personally chosen by Diana. Other items included a solar-powered calculator, a European passport, and a Casio pocket TV, which sparked nostalgia among hospital staff. Janet Holmes, a play specialist at GOSH in 1991, called the pocket TV her favorite, recalling how she bought one for her bus-driver husband at the time, a pricey gadget back then.
The items were carefully selected to encapsulate the era’s cultural and technological shifts. David Watson, 11, and Sylvia Foulkes, 9, winners of a Blue Peter BBC contest, contributed items like a set of British coins, five tree seeds, a snowflake hologram, and a copy of The Times from the sealing day.
Kylie Minogue CD: A pop culture staple from the 1990s.
Pocket TV: A costly, cutting-edge device at the time.
European passport: A symbol of Europe’s growing unity.
Tree seeds: Early signs of environmental awareness.
The 1991 ceremony and Diana’s role
The capsule was sealed in March 1991 during the laying of the foundation stone for the Variety Club Building, opened in 1994. Diana, who became GOSH’s honorary president in 1989, was a frequent visitor, known for her heartfelt interactions with patients. Her involvement in the ceremony went beyond formality—she helped select items, reflecting her commitment to the hospital’s mission. During the event, she shared a personal moment with a patient and her father, expressing her wish to have a daughter.
The 1991 event drew inspiration from an 1872 ceremony when Princess Alexandra sealed a time capsule at GOSH, which has never been found. Diana’s initiative reinforced the hospital’s tradition of linking past and future through symbolic acts. The 2025 opening, though premature, honored her vision.
Princess Diana’s time capsule dug up at hospital revealing nineties relics inside https://t.co/SVEmvawLRJ pic.twitter.com/P4krMNxu7b— The Independent (@Independent) August 27, 2025
Emotional opening in 2025
The capsule’s opening in early 2025 was a poignant moment for GOSH staff. Employees from 1991 and newer members, including those born that year, joined the event. Rochana Redkar, a clinical researcher in pediatric oncology, expressed excitement at participating, noting she was born in 1991. Despite some items being damaged by moisture, most remained intact, evoking strong memories.
Jason Dawson, the executive director overseeing the new cancer center, described the opening as a bridge to the “hopes and aspirations of 1991.” The event highlighted GOSH’s ability to blend medical excellence with emotional resonance. Items like the snowflake hologram and tree seeds underscored emerging environmental concerns from the 1990s.
Staff involvement: Employees from different eras connected over the event.
Water damage: Some items deteriorated but retained symbolic value.
Historical link: The capsule tied past memories to future goals.
Cancer center: The opening supported GOSH’s infrastructure growth.
Cultural significance of the objects
The capsule’s contents paint a vivid picture of the 1990s, a decade of technological and cultural transitions. The pocket TV symbolized innovation, letting people watch shows on the go—a novelty at the time. The Kylie Minogue CD captured the peak of pop music, while the European passport reflected Europe’s unification efforts. The recycled paper and tree seeds signaled the dawn of widespread environmental consciousness, a theme that grew stronger in later decades.
The copy of The Times included headlines about global events, like political shifts in the Soviet Union and Middle East conflicts, grounding the capsule in its historical moment. These items, though simple, form a time capsule that transcends material value, connecting generations through shared history. GOSH staff view them as cultural markers that preserve the spirit of the 1990s.
New children’s cancer center
The capsule’s opening was prompted by the construction of a new children’s cancer treatment center, a major milestone for GOSH. The facility aims to be a national hub for innovative treatments and research. Opening the capsule early reflects the hospital’s focus on advancing pediatric care while honoring its history. The project will enhance GOSH’s ability to provide cutting-edge, compassionate care.
Diana’s connection to GOSH remains powerful, nearly three decades after her death in 1997. Her dedication was evident during the capsule’s opening, with staff recalling her lasting impact. The 1991 initiative, now revisited, underscores GOSH’s commitment to blending innovation with memory for a greater cause.
Center’s purpose: Expanding treatment and research for pediatric oncology.
Diana’s legacy: Her work at GOSH continues to inspire.
Medical innovation: The new center prioritizes advanced care.
Staff reactions and memories
The capsule’s opening sparked emotional responses among GOSH staff. Janet Holmes, who worked at the hospital in 1991, felt nostalgia seeing the pocket TV, a reminder of its high cost in the 1990s. Rochana Redkar connected the event to her birth year, viewing it as a generational link. Other staff, new to GOSH, also engaged with the discovery, recognizing its historical weight.
GOSH plans to display the items in a dedicated exhibit, allowing patients and visitors to explore this piece of history. The opening, driven by practical needs, became a celebration of the hospital’s past and future, reinforcing its role as a center of medical and emotional significance.
Item display: Objects will be showcased for public viewing.
Nostalgia: Staff shared personal connections to the 1990s.
Generational bridge: The capsule linked different hospital eras.
