Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles leave Balmoral

Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles leave Balmoral



Today marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, and Prince Charles chose to spend the significant day with the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral.

The royals appeared to be in a reflective mood as they left the estate in a convoy of Land Rovers earlier today, accompanied by their aides.

Meanwhile, crowds gathered at Kensington Palace to mourn Diana's death twenty years on, leaving masses of floral tributes at her former home.

Throughout the day, the sea of tributes has grown proving that the influence of the woman dubbed 'the People's Princess' is as strong as ever on the 20th anniversary of her death.

Some people were seen breaking down in tears as they remembered the late royal outside her former home.



On Wednesday, Prince William and Harry paid tribute to their mother by visiting the White Garden memorial at Kensington Palace.

The pair also looked at the floral tributes and pictures left at the gates of her former home, as well as speaking to well-wishers gathered there.



Taking an impromptu walkabout, they waved and smiled before taking a few minutes to read the cards and banners.

Prince Harry smiled at the sight of a large balloon lying among the flowers, while William pointed out a childhood photograph of him and his mother in sunglasses.

Diana's death at the age of 36 prompted the biggest outpouring of grief seen in Britain in recent times and is regarded as a key turning point in how the royal family relates to the public.

With traditional restraint giving way to expressions of emotion, Diana's sons William and Harry have led the way by speaking openly about the trauma they suffered when they lost their mother, as part of a wider campaign of talking about mental health issues.



The 20th anniversary of Diana's death has prompted a renewed fascination with a woman who made headlines around the world when she married heir-to-the-throne Charles in a fairytale wedding in 1981 before the couple divorced in bitter circumstances in 1996.

The Queen had faced criticism in the days following Diana's death in 1997 for her decision to stay at Balmoral.

Following an outpouring of public anger, the monarch asked her press secretary to appear on TV -  in an unprecedented break with protocol - to defend the royals and explain that they had stayed away to be with William and Harry.

She also agreed to make a statement on television, her first live broadcast in 50 years.