Prince Harry hails Diana as 'best mother in the world'

LONDON: Prince Harry described princess Diana as "the best mother in the world" during a highly personal address on Friday at the London memorial service marking the 10th anniversary of her death.   

Harry, dressed in a dark suit and army tie, said that losing his mother at the age of 12 was "indescribably shocking and sad" before an audience of 500 invited guests at the Guards Chapel.   

"William and I can separate life into two parts," he said, as his elder brother bowed his head in the front row.   

"There were those years when we were blessed by the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father and then there are the 10 years since our mother's death."   

Harry said that Diana was "our guardian, friend and protector" adding: "She was quite simply the best mother in the world. We would say that, wouldn't we, but we miss her."   

He said that losing his mother "changed our lives forever" and that he thought of her every day.   

"She made us and so many other people happy -- may this be the way that she is remembered," he said at the end of his speech, drawing applause from the hundreds of members of the public who crowded outside the chapel.