Princess Diana death anniversary: Brother Earl Spencer leads tributes

Tributes to the late Princess Diana on the 25th anniversary of her death were led by her brother Charles Spencer today who tweeted an emotional photograph of a flag at half-mast at her ancestral home of Althorp.

The Northumberland estate – which is where Diana first met the Prince of Wales during a grouse hunt – was previously owned by Diana’s father Earl John Spencer, and is now home to Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer.

Diana’s death in 1997 shocked the world and in the decades that have followed her influence has been seen in the causes supported by royals, the way they conduct themselves and even in their fashion choices.

And the Princess of Wales was also remembered by fans today who gathered outside her former London home of Kensington Palace to pay tribute with a series of banners, photographs and floral displays tied to the gates.

Among those present was John Loughrey, who gained a reputation as Diana’s number one fan after he quit his job in a kitchen to attend every court session of the official six-month inquest into her death from 2007 to 2008.

Over in France this morning, photographs and flowers were left in memory of Diana around the Liberty Flame monument above the tunnel of the Alma Bridge in Paris where she died in a car crash on August 31, 1997. 

Tessy Ojo, chief executive officer of The Diana Award, established to promote the princess’s belief young people have the power to change the world for the better, has paid tribute to the royal and described how she left flowers at Kensington Palace after Diana was killed.

Ms Ojo said: ‘Her ability to connect with people though kindness and compassion is one of her most significant legacies. She left a mark on all our lives.’

She added: ‘Diana, Princess of Wales, believed that young people have the power to change the world. Continuing her legacy also means building the capacity of young people to change their world by tackling the big issues of our time.

‘Like Diana, Princess of Wales they’re not afraid to speak out and be at the forefront of change. I can only imagine how immensely proud she would be of the tens of thousands of young people from across the world who are continuing her legacy.’

When Diana died aged 36 in a crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, she was embarking on a new period of her life, free from the restraints of being a member of the monarchy and intent on using her position to champion the causes close to her heart.

Her greatest legacy has been her sons, the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex, who embody her beliefs and values and have spoken about how their mother is still guiding them.

Speaking last week after a fundraising polo match for his charity Sentebale, named in memory of his mother, Harry said about the anniversary of her death: ‘I want it to be a day filled with memories of her incredible work and love for the way she did it.

‘I want it to be a day to share the spirit of my mum with my family, with my children, who I wish could have met her.

‘Every day, I hope to do her proud. She was tireless in her work to support and destigmatise those experiencing HIV/AIDS. Fittingly, her favourite flowers were forget-me-nots.’

Diana broke new ground by championing issues such as Aids awareness – famously holding the hand of a man with the illness – or highlighting homelessness and joining campaigners calling for a ban on landmines.

Her fashion sense made her a cover star for magazines and newspapers across the globe and even after she broke away from the royal family was still seen as the modern face of the monarchy.

Diana’s sons jointly paid tribute to their mother last summer on July 1 when they unveiled a statue of the princess in the garden of Kensington Palace. Divided on many issues, William and Harry put on a united front. 

The princess gave a controversial interview to the BBC Panorama programme saying ‘well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded’ – a reference to Camilla Parker Bowles, who Charles later married.

The BBC vowed last month never to broadcast the interview again in the wake of the Dyson inquiry, which found journalist Martin Bashir had used ‘deceitful behaviour’ to secure the scoop.

He faked bank statements which he showed to Diana’s brother Earl Spencer to gain access to the princess.

William and Harry, in separate statements, condemned the BBC for its treatment of their mother, with William saying the interview fuelled her ‘fear, paranoia and isolation’, and Harry saying ‘the ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life’.