Princess Diana admirers leave flowers at her former residence on 9th anniversary of her death

LONDON (AP) _ Ardent admirers of Princess Diana left flowers at the gates of her former home Thursday, the ninth anniversary of her death in a car crash in Paris. <br/><br/>``I loved Diana and I come here

Thursday, August 31st 2006, 10:08 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) _ Ardent admirers of Princess Diana left flowers at the gates of her former home Thursday, the ninth anniversary of her death in a car crash in Paris.

``I loved Diana and I come here every year,'' said Kathleen Edmonds, 62, one of the first to arrive outside Kensington Palace. ``She was a nice person and I think there was a conspiracy because people used her.

``I think more needs to be done to remember her. There needs to be a statue of her or something.''

Diana, 36, her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, 42, and their driver Henri Paul, 41, all died when their car crashed at high speed in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in the French capital.

Father Frank Gelli, the former curate of St. Mary Abbots Church nearby, led about 100 people in prayer at the annual ceremony which this year included a prayer for all those involved in a coroner's inquest into the princess' death.

Many of those attending are members of the Diana Circle, who have pledged to keep her memory alive. One of the founders, Margaret Funnell of Brighton, called for a memorial event next year on the 10th anniversary.

``I do think we should have a thanksgiving service for her life, somewhere like St. Paul's,'' Funnell said, referring to the cathedral where Diana and Prince Charles were married.

The royal family, as is their custom, did not participate in any public events marking the anniversary.