Diana, Princess of Wales, was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne. Although the two later divorced, Diana remained the “People’s Princess,” a title given to her by Tony Blair, the British prime minister, upon her tragic death at the age of 36. Known as both a fashion icon and a champion of charitable causes, Diana used her public platform to educate others about HIV, leprosy, homelessness, land mines, and drug addiction. In April 1987, she was invited to open Britain’s first AIDS ward at Middlesex Hospital. A picture of her shaking hands with HIV-positive patients without wearing gloves publicly challenged the idea that the disease could be transmitted via touch. Similarly, she visited hospitals in India, Nepal, and Zimbabwe and spent time with patients, saying, “It has always been my concern to touch people with leprosy, trying to show in a simple action that they are not reviled, nor are we repulsed.” Diana’s ability to connect quickly with others—reaching into crowds to hold people’s hands or give them a hug—was indicative of her skill at interpersonal communication.
Based on your reading about this basic form of communication, which statement best describes why Diana was able to establish a relationship with many of those she met?