Princes visit Diana garden on 20th anniversary of death

Princes William and Harry inspect public tributes to their late mother Diana at Kensington Palace on Wednesday. [Photo/Agencies]

Twenty years ago the world witnessed one of the biggest public outpourings of grief in recent history when it was announced that Diana, Princess of Wales, had been killed in a car crash in Paris.

Her untimely death on Aug 31, 1997, aged 36, stunned many around the globe.

Twenty years later, fans of Diana have once again started leaving fl oral tributes and pictures at the gates of Kensington Palace, in London, where she lived after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996.

In recent weeks, her sons William and Harry have spoken publicly of their loss.

William, now 35, said the shock of his mother's death still lingered, while Harry, 32, revealed he had sought counseling in his late 20s to help deal with the grief.

On Wednesday, the brothers paid a poignant visit to a new memorial garden for Diana created at the palace.

Their arrival in torrential rain was witnessed by crowds at the gates, among them Anne Grant from Reading.

"She was a wonderful person, wonderful princess, wonderful mother－what more can you ask for?" she said.

During the garden visit, William and Harry met representatives of the many charities their mother supported, including the National AIDS Trust and the Landmine Survivors Network.

They also met the palace gardeners who explained the design and pointed out some of the princess's favorite plants.

The garden is filled with white flowers and foliage and was inspired by memories of Diana's life, style and image.

"She left a great legacy,'' said Dorothy from Edinburgh."She changed the royal family for the better, they are much more down to earth now."