8:27pm UK, Wednesday August 31, 2005

Tributes in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales have been tied to the gates of Kensington Palace to mark the eighth anniversary of her death.

Bouquets of roses, carnations and lilies as well as messages were pinned to the railings at her former home by long standing supporters.

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Diana: remembered

For some the journey had increased significance, coming in the year the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker Bowles.

John Chandler from Stratford, east London, said: "It makes me feel sad but it was important to come because of the wedding.

"Since she's been gone they just haven't left her alone."

Julie Cain, 42, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, spent the night in the park to pay her respects.

"We camped out overnight and we do it every year because we have to try to keep Diana's memory alive," she said.

"There's certain people within a certain family that just want to eradicate her from history.

"As long as I've got breath in my body I'll be coming here."

Ms Cain added: "Every year is hard but it's been more so this year because Charles married. I can't even say her name."

Princes William and Harry were spending the day privately with 23-year-old William expected to be staying at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.

Harry, 20, who is on a summer break from Sandhurst, is holidaying on an island off the coast of Mozambique with girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

Charles was at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall.

Kensington Palace was the focus for the nation's grief in 1997 after Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris alongside her lover Dodi Fayed.