TEN years ago, they were only boys - 12 and 15 years old - faced with the extraordinary ordeal of having to walk for miles behind their mother's coffin as millions watched around the world.

They coped supremely well then and they have coped supremely well ever since. Princes William and Harry have grown into young men who would make any mother proud.

On the tenth anniversary of Diana's death, Prince Harry spoke movingly of the "best mother in the world" and how he and his brother thought about her every day. It was a fitting tribute.

Thankfully, common sense prevailed and the Duchess of Cornwall stayed away. But it is a worrying reminder of how out of touch the Royal Family remains that the preparations reached the final week before the obvious conclusion was drawn that it would have been inappropriate for the woman who had an affair with Diana's husband to attend.

Camilla would have become the focus of attention, the picture on the all the front pages, and that would not have been right.

Yesterday, the focus needed to be on the memory of Diana - the great strengths which outweighed her weaknesses - and on her two sons, who have grown up with such fond memories of her.

She will always be remembered - by them more than anyone. It would be nice now if, after ten years, Diana was allowed to rest in peace.

But first there must be the forthcoming inquest which will ensure that the recriminations, the point-scoring and the controversy will go on for some time yet. And the princes will have to cope.