Royals signal end of ‘rift’ at Diana memorial opening

BRITAIN’S Queen Elizabeth II appeared to heal the rift with Princess Diana’s family yesterday as the Spencers and the Windsors stood side by side in her memory.

Diana’s brother Earl Charles Spencer praised the monarch for her “warm” words about his sister at the official opening of the memorial fountain built in the Princess’s honour. It was the two families’ first public appearance together since the Princess’s 1997 funeral where her brother launched his famous attack on the royal establishment.

In Hyde Park yesterday, the Queen chatted to the Earl as she prepared to leave, saying cheerfully: “I hope you feel satisfied by that.” He replied: “Yes, ma’am, more than satisfied.”

Making their way to the edge of the fountain near the Serpentine, the Spencers and the Royals admired the work and met the design team including architect Kathryn Gustafson.

The two families mingled by the side of the bubbling water as they chatted to each other in turn. At one point the Earl approached Prince William, gently putting his hand behind the young prince’s back. He also talked animatedly with his former brother-in-law Prince Charles.

Seven years ago, the Earl pledged from the pulpit at his sister’s funeral that the Princess’s “blood family” would look after William and Harry and ensure “their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition”.

More than 1,000 spectators gathered behind the barriers to watch the opening of the long-awaited €5 million fountain, delayed by red tape and squabbles over the design.

There was a mixed response to the ground level oval granite structure which has been branded a “storm drain”, with some members of the public saying they feared it would end up full of rubbish and others proclaiming it “fantastic”.

In her first official comments about the Princess since she addressed the nation on the eve of Diana’s funeral, the Queen acknowledged the “difficult times” in Diana’s life but spoke of how “memories mellow with the passing of the years”.

The Queen said: “I cannot forget - and nor can those of us here today who knew her much more personally, as sister, wife, mother, or daughter-in-law - the Diana who made such an impact on our lives.

“Of course there were difficult times, but memories mellow with the passing of the years. I remember especially the happiness she gave to my two grandsons.”

During their grandmother’s speech, both William and Harry looked solemn with their heads bowed slightly forward.

The Queen described the princess as a “remarkable human being”. She paid tribute to her “wider legacy” and her ability “not only to touch people’s lives but to change them”.

Admiring the fountain, the Earl played down reports of past difficulties.

“I can honestly say the rift thing has been very much overplayed,” he said. “There wasn’t really one that needed healing.”