Prince Harry has told a service to mark the 10th
anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, that she was "the best
mother in the world".
Family and friends joined Princes William and Harry for the service at
Guards' Chapel near Buckingham Palace.
Harry told the congregation, which included the Queen, Prince Philip and
Prince Charles: "She made us and so many other people happy."
The Bishop of London said it was now time to "let Diana rest in peace".
The Right Reverend Dr Richard Chartres, said the princess's memory should no
longer be used to score points, and urged: "Let it end here."
'Love and gratitude'
Harry, who was 12 when his mother was killed, said her death was
"indescribably shocking and sad", and changed his life and that of his brother
forever.
He added: "When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivalled
love of life, laughter, fun and folly.
"We both think of her every day. We speak about her and laugh together at all
the memories."
Prince William, who was 15 when Diana died, gave a reading from St Paul's
letter to the Ephesians which asked for inner strength.
Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, also gave a reading.
The service included Diana's favourite classical music by composers
Rachmaninov and Mozart and four hymns, concluding with Diana's favourite, I Vow
To Thee, My Country.
The service also included two prayers written by Archbishop of Canterbury
Rowan Williams.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessors Tony Blair and John Major
were accompanied by their wives to the service.
The Duchess of Cornwall was invited to the hour-long memorial but decided not
to attend, saying her presence would be a distraction.
Former members of the princess's staff, all of the bridesmaids and page boys
from her 1981 wedding, and over 110 representatives of charities and
organisations with which she was associated were also on the guest list.
Earlier, Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi died in the crash
alongside the princess, laid flowers at a shrine he has built at the London
store and held a two-minute silence.
Other memorial services for the princess are to be held at venues across the
UK, including Manchester, Bristol, Aberdeen and Cardiff.
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 When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivalled
love of life, laughter, fun and folly 
|
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the Manchester service - at 1630
BST on Friday - which will include readings, a blessing and music which was
played at the princess's funeral.
National grief
Admirers of the late princess have tied flowers and cards to the gates of
Kensington Palace - her former London residence - as they did in 1997 after her
death.
Members of the public have also left bouquets and gifts outside Althorp,
where Diana is buried, at the gate of Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where she
was born, and near the Eternal Flame monument by the tunnel in Paris where she
was killed.
Princess Diana died, aged 36, along with her companion Dodi Al Fayed, 42, and
chauffeur Henri Paul, when the Mercedes they were in crashed in the Pont de
l'Alma tunnel on 31 August 1997.
The princess's death provoked an unprecedented outpouring of national grief,
with hundreds of thousands gathering to mourn outside Kensington Palace, where
they left a sea of floral tributes.
Thousands more later lined the route of her funeral procession.
