Princess Diana’s goddaughter, 24, reveals she spoiled her family after receiving her first ever pay cheque
PRINCESS Diana's goddaughter, Domenica Lawson has revealed how she spent her very first pay cheque spoiling her family on a recent holiday to Cornwall.
The 24-year-old, who has Down's syndrome, secured her first job earlier this year at the Pavilion Gardens Cafe in the centre of Brighton, after wowing bosses during work experience.
"When I got my first pay packet I felt so happy and overwhelmed," she told .
Speaking about the recent trip to Cornwall, she revealed she had "saved up" to treat her mum - Diana's close friend Rosa Monckton - as well as her dad Dominic and sister Savannah.
"I bought them all drinks and I got myself some make-up, too," she said.
Explaining that Diana would have been "incredibly proud", Rosa told the magazine: "Being taken out by Domenica was a big moment for us. It's extraordinary because even I, her mother, didn't realise exactly how much her first pay packet would mean to her. She leapt around saying: 'Look, I've got money!'"
Domenica, who took part in the charity's Supported Internship Programme, completed a short work placement at the cafe.
But after impressing bosses, she secured a paid job there twice a week.
"It feels amazing really and I feel very important to have money," said Domenica.
"I love working there and the people are lovely.”
The charity was set up to help young adults with learning disabilities find and retain meaningful employment.
With a training centre, training cafe and employment centre, Team Domenica provides employment programmes for young adults with a wide range of abilities.
Rosa explained she passionately promotes Princess Diana's belief that “everybody needs to be valued and everyone has the potential to give something back”.
Rosa began a legal battle earlier this year to challenge the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - which she says prevents parents making decisions for their kids with learning disabilities when they reach the age of 18.
In June, a judge called for change and said parents should have more opportunity to represent their adult children.
"When Domenica was born... no one ever warned us how the state can prevent you from exercising the care you know your child needs," she said.
"Diana, who had more empathy and emotional understanding than anyone I have ever met, got it absolutely right when she said, 'A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's'."
In other royal news, we told you Princess Charlotte could be learning French in her first few weeks at school.
We also revealed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘may leave Britain and move to LA in Royal snub, pals fear’.
And we told you Princess Diana was NOT pregnant or taking contraceptive pill when she died, reveals forensic scientist at heart of Operation Paget