EXHIBITION at late Princess Diana's ancestral estate opens for season on her 40th birthday

LONDON (AP) _ An exhibition commemorating the life and work of Princess Diana reopened at her family's ancestral estate Sunday, on what would have been her 40th birthday. <br><br>Earl Spencer opened

Sunday, July 1st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) _ An exhibition commemorating the life and work of Princess Diana reopened at her family's ancestral estate Sunday, on what would have been her 40th birthday.

Earl Spencer opened a new three-room exhibition at Althorp dedicated to the charitable fund set up in his sister's name. Visitors to the estate can also see the island where Diana's remains lie and tour a museum that chronicles her life.

``I do find the anniversaries particularly difficult, as do all our family,'' Spencer said late last week as he prepared to open the museum at the estate 70 miles northwest of London for its fourth summer season.

``The fact that she would have been 40 has added to the poignancy this year and I just hope we are doing the best we can for her without having her around any more,'' he said.

Princess Diana was 36 when she was killed in a high-speed car crash in Paris in August 1997.

To mark her birthday, children from London's Brompton Hospital lay flowers at the gates of Kensington Palace, the royal mansion where Diana used to live.

After Diana's death, her brother converted an 18th-century stable block at Althorp _ the family home since 1508 _ into a museum. It is open each year for two months ending Aug. 30, the day before the anniversary of her death.

On display is a wide and personal range of artifacts, including the Spencer family tiara, the frothy silk dress Diana wore for her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles _ complete with 25-foot train _ and the musical score for ``Candle in the Wind,'' which Elton John rewrote and performed at her funeral.

The latest addition is an exhibition about the work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which has given $56 million to 250 charities in the last four years.

Spencer paid a glowing tribute to Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, and said they had grown to be young men of whom their mother would be extremely proud.

``They are coping very well. I think everyone can see that,'' he said. ``I was just hoping they would turn out as their mother would have wanted them to turn out. They have certainly done that.''