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.”