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Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation one week after the death of Princess Diana in Paris to pay tribute to her former daughter-in-law.
The Queen honoured the “exceptional” Princess of Wales for her “warmth and kindness”, remembering her devotion to Prince William and Prince Harry when she was alive.
Speaking to mourners from Buckingham Palace, the Queen said: “What I say to you now as your Queen and as a grandmother I say from my heart. First I want to pay tribute to Diana myself.
“She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh and to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.”
The Queen revealed the Royal Family had spent the week following Diana’s death in Balmoral trying to come to terms with her passing. She added the whole family had come together in support of the young Princes at this “devastating” time.
She continued: “I admired her and respected her for her energy and commitment to others and especially for her devotion to her two boys.
“This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered. No one who knew Diana will ever forget her.
“Millions of others who have never met her but felt they knew her will remember her. I, for one, believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death.”
Queen Elizabeth added: “It is not easy to express the sense of loss since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings. Disbelief, incomprehension, anger and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.
“This is also an opportunity for me on behalf of my family, and especially Prince Charles and William and Harry, to thank all of you who have bought flowers, sent messages and paid their respects in so many ways to a remarkable person.”
William and Harry, just 15 and 12 when their mother passed, took over Diana’s charitable streak and became involved in charity work supporting mental health and HIV/AIDS sufferers.
In an ITV interview last year, marking the 20th anniversary of her untimely death, her loving sons spoke of her with great fondness.
They recalled her wicked sense of humour, particularly over her outfit choices for her children.
Prince Harry said: “I would love to ask her now because I genuinely think she got satisfaction out of dressing myself and William up in the most bizarre outfits.
“Normally matching – it was weird shorts – shiny shoes with a clip on. The photos just make me laugh and I think ‘how could you do that to us?’.”
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