Well-wishers mingled with curious onlookers above the central Paris underpass where the princess, her companion Dodi al-Fayed and their driver Henri Paul died in last year's crash.

Many visitors laid flowers and messages around a golden replica of the flame of the Statue of Liberty, which overlooks the far end of the tunnel in Place de l'Alma.

The site has become a shrine to Diana's memory.

Tears for Diana, a year on

No special events are planned by the French to mark the anniversary.

But the UK's ambassador to Paris, Sir Michael Jay, joined a service at a British church in the French capital with his wife.

"We are here to be able to reflect in a quiet and in our own way on the tragedy of a year ago that cost the lives of the Princess of Wales and two other people," he said.

"And we want to think of all those families, friends and all the other people who have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the tragedy of a year ago."

Inquiry concluding

The long enquiry into the circumstances of her death is expected to be completed by the end of October.

It is almost certain that it will conclude that the crash occurred because the driver was driving too fast with a level of alcohol in his blood three times over the legal limit.

Questions surround the roadworthiness of the car and the treatment given to the dying princess, but they will not change the basic finding.

Of the 10 photographers detained after the crash, one or two may face relatively minor charges of failing to help a person in danger.

The Fiat car that may have been in glancing collision with the Mercedes has never been found.

The many conspiracy theories have been ruled out.