When Princess Diana came to Taunton

The People’s Princess was 36 when she was killed on August 31, 1997, when the Mercedes carrying her and partner, Dodi Fayed, crashed in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel.

Fayed’s chauffeur, Henri Paul, was speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs, and their car was being pursued by paparazzi.

Her sons, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, unveiled a statue in her memory last month at Kensington Palace.

Prince William was 15 years old at the time of her death, and Prince Harry was 12.

The statue will be accessible to the public between 3pm and 5pm today to allow visitors to pay their respects.

Because of the pandemic, it is usually open from Wednesday to Saturday.

Princess Diana visited Taunton on two occasions in the early 1990s.

On the anniversary of her death, we look back at her visits and the reception she received from thousands of local people, with pictures from the County Gazette.

April 17, 1991

Almost 10,000 people gathered in Taunton to greet Princess Diana when she visited in April 1991.

She was in the county town to visit Six Acres Day Centre in Roman Road having recently visited the newly opened Sedgemoor Splash pool in Bridgwater.

The princess was introduced to the mayor and mayoress of Taunton, Peter and Annette Lee, council chief executive Peter Berman and his wife Anne, and Taunton MP David Nicholson and his wife Frances.

She spoke to members of the public including four-year-old Oliver Forster-Burnell of Bishops Lydeard.

At the north end of Taunton High Street, he gave her a bunch of chrysanthemums and lilies, a Mars bar and a kiss on the hand.

His mother Julie said: “The princess asked Oliver if he always kissed ladies.

“To which he replied ‘yes’.”

During her visit to Taunton, one 17-year-old student at Richard Huish College lost out on lunch during a security sweep.

Hannah McKeand was about to enjoy a cheese and onion pizza when a security dog beat her to it.

She said: “This springer spaniel sniffer dog was checking the classrooms, presumably for bombs, when he suddenly stuck his head in my bag and ate up all my lunch!

“The security policeman with the dog apologised but told me he didn’t carry enough cash to buy me another pizza.

“He said he could only afford a yoghurt.

“The princess probably wouldn’t have been interested in my lost lunch... I’ve a good mind to write to Buckingham Palace demanding a refund,” she joked.

June 2, 1993

Princess Diana visited Taunton again two years later. 

Hazel Hare, a physiotherapist, was treating two babies with Down’s Syndrome when she met her at Taunton Opportunity Group at Northfields, Bishop’s Hill.

"She wanted to know what we do here," said Hazel. 

She was very warm and caring and it was easy to relax with her."

Deputy leader of Taunton Opportunity Group, Cheryl Tottle, was left in no doubt of Princess Diana's caring nature after she helped massage three-year-old Jodie Udall, from Milverton, who suffered from cerebral palsy.

"She said she wouldn't mind staying on the step all day, it was so relaxing," said Cheryl.

Parent Louise Steele, whose son Toby attended the centre, was equally complimentary of her. 

"She was obviously interested," she said.

"She was just like any other caring mother."

The princess also visited St Margaret's Hospice, where she made one resident, Iris Smith, especially happy with a birthday wish.

Iris found a message in her birthday card which read: “Lots of love on your special day, from Diana."

Around 10,000 people lined the streets of Taunton as she made her way to Vivary Park.

20-year-old Sarah Schock, of Greenway Avenue, got the chance to have a parenthood chat as the princess stopped to talk about her 11-week-old son, Joshua.

"She asked if we had got our nights sorted out and I said yes," said Sarah.

"She also said Joshua had nice booties."

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