A tearful Prince Harry paid an emotional tribute to “the best mother in the world” today on the 10th anniversary of her death.

At the memorial service held in Princess Diana’s honour, Harry delivered a touching address. 

He said of Diana: “She was our guardian, friend and protector.” 

He asked for her to be remembered as she was: “fun-loving, generous, down to earth and entirely genuine.

“Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy,” he told the 500-strong congregation and a mass worldwide television audience. His speech moved many in the crowd to tears as he spoke of his and his brother’s memories of their mother. 

“William and I can separate life into two parts. There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father. 

“And then there are the 10 years since our mother’s death. When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivalled love of life, laughter, fun and folly. 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. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure. 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.”

After Harry finished speaking, the crowds outside applauded. 

Harry, who is now 22, was just 12 when Diana was killed. 

William, who was 15 when the Princess died, also gave a reading, from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. 

Exactly a decade to the day that Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed, the royal brothers held their special church service at the Guards’ Chapel in London as a thanksgiving for the Princess’s life. 

The Queen, the Prince of Wales, other members of the Royal Family and the Spencers all gathered at the service.

The Duchess of Cornwall was notably absent, having pulled out amid criticism that it was inappropriate for her to attend. 

Stars also attended including Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Canadian rock star Bryan Adams, Lord Attenborough and celebrity photographer Mario Testino.

Don’t miss six pages of Diana coverage in Friday’s Express & Star.