The best mother in the world

At the memorial service held in her honour, Harry delivered a touching address which he had written himself.

Diana's youngest son was determined to take on the difficult task of sharing his personal thoughts in front of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, a congregation of 500 and a mass worldwide television audience on the poignant anniversary.

Speaking also for Prince William, whom he consulted over his words, Harry said: "She was our guardian, friend and protector. She never once allowed her unfaltering love for us to go unspoken or undemonstrated.

"She will always be remembered for her amazing public work.

"But behind the media glare, to us, just two loving children, she was quite simply the best mother in the world. We would say that wouldn't we. But we miss her.

"She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school.

"She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day."

Of her death, Harry said: "It was an event which changed our lives for ever, as it must have done for everyone who lost someone that night."

But he continued: "What is far more important to us now, and into the future, is that we remember our mother as she would have wished to be remembered, as she was - fun-loving, generous, down-to-earth, entirely genuine.

"We both think of her every day. We speak about her and laugh together at all the memories.

"Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy. May this be the way that she is remembered."

The moving reading was in marked contrast to the reserve so often associated with the Royal Family and embraced the openness the Princess was seen to embody.

It was greeted by applause by more than 1,000 well-wishers who had gathered outside the Guards' Chapel in London. Many were moved to tears.

Unlike the pop concert hosted by William and Harry in the Princess's memory at Wembley in July, members of the public were not able to obtain tickets for today's commemoration.

Among the guests at the solemn traditional church service were friends of the Princess, Sir Elton John, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Cliff Richard, Lord Attenborough and Sir David Frost, representatives from her charities, many of her godchildren and her former staff, the Royal Family, the Spencers and the bridesmaids and pageboys from her wedding.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah were present to pay their respects, alongside former premiers Tony Blair and Sir John Major.

Wayne Sleep, who once danced with Diana, described it as a very emotional experience. "I found it very hard to sing the next hymn after his speech. I was choked," he said of Harry.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, who led prayers for the Princess at her funeral, praised the commemoration afterwards.

"It was a wonderful service. I think the high point was Prince Harry's address. It was simple, but moving," he added.

William, who looked downwards and deep in thought as his brother spoke, gave a reading from the Bible, from St Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

The Bishop of London used his own address to request an end to using the Princess's memory to score points, declaring: "Let it end here."

The Right Reverend Richard Chartres said: "Let this service mark the point at which we let her rest in peace and dwell on her memory with thanksgiving and compassion."

On the day of the Princess's funeral, Harry and William, then just 12 and 15, walked bravely behind her coffin as it proceeded through the streets on its way to Westminster Abbey in front of crowds of grieving mourners.

Now grown men of 22 and 25, they personally organised the thanksgiving, from the guest list to the hymns and the prayers.

They were helped by Diana's siblings Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes.

Harry's mature tribute will undoubtedly be seen as a measure of the man he has become in the years since Diana died.

It was a world apart from the image of him as a partying prince who, along with other setbacks, once scuffled with the paparazzi.

The Duchess of Cornwall was notably absent from the royal line-up, after pulling out amid criticism that it was inappropriate for her to attend.

Diana's death in the early hours of August 31, 1997, stunned the nation. The loss of the "People's Princess" led to a mass outpouring of public grief, the like of which had never been seen before.

Diana and boyfriend Dodi Fayed were killed when the Mercedes they were travelling in hit a pillar in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. They were being pursued by paparazzi after leaving the Ritz Hotel.

Driver Henri Paul, who was also killed, was drunk and driving at high speed. Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor.

Dodi's father, Mohamed al Fayed, who was not invited to William and Harry's service, held a two-minute silence in honour of Diana and Dodi at his Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London.

Prayers were said in memory of Diana in Durham Cathedral yesterday. Prayers giving thanks for her life will also be said during an evensong service tomorrow, to begin at 3.30pm.

Sunderland Minster held a commemorative service, and a book of remembrance was available.