Diana, Princess of Wales, had a great love for children.

She was regularly seen hugging some of the world's least privileged children, such as landmine victims.

And at home, away from the spotlight, she agreed 17 times to be a godmother to the children of European royalty, British MPs and old schoolfriends.

All 17, aged from two to 16, were remembered in her will, which was published on Monday.

Diana's godchildren

Lady Edwina Grosvenor, 16, the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, was the first of Diana's 17 godchildren. The duke is one of the richest men in Britain.

The Hon Alexandra Knatchbull, 15, daughter of Lord and Lady Romsey and the great granddaughter of the late Earl Mountbatten.

Clare Cazalet, 13, daughter of Isabel and Victor Cazalet. Mr Cazalet's father, the late Major Peter Cazalet, was the Queen Mother's race-horse trainer.

Diana's will was altered to remember the godchildren.

Camilla Straker, 12, daughter of Reuben and Hon Sophie Straker. Sophie, the daughter of former Conservative MP Lord Kimball, was a former flatmate of Diana.

Prince Philippos, 11, son of ex-King Constantine of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes.

Leonora Lonsdale, 11, daughter of Jamie and Laura Lonsdale. Mrs Lonsdale was a lady-in-waiting to the Princess.

Jakie Warren, 11, son of John and Lady Carolyn Warren. Lady Carolyn is the daughter of the Queen's racing manager, the Earl of Carnarvon.

Lady Mary Wellesley, 11, daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Douro. The Marquess is the son and heir of the Duke of Wellington.

George Frost, 10, son of broadcaster Sir David and Lady Carina Frost. Lady Carina is the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk.

Antonia Twiston-Davies, 10, daughter of company director Audley Twiston-Davies and his wife, the Hon Caroline Harbord-Hamond. She was a trusted friend of Diana's.

Jack Falkner, nine, son of Colonel Simon Falkner of the Household Cavalry Regiment and Isabel Falkner.

Lord Edward Downpatrick, nine, son of the Earl and Countess of St Andrews.

Jack Bartholomew, eight, son of William and Carolyn Bartholomew. Carolyn was a schoolfriend and flatmate of Diana.

Benjamin Samuel, eight, son of the Hon Michael and Julia Samuel. Mrs Samuel was a close friend of the Princess, and attended her launch of a charity dedicated to improving support for bereaved parents.

Antonia Harrington, six, daughter of Jonathon Harrington.

Daisy Soames, five, daughter of the Hon Rupert and Camilla Soames. Rupert Soames is the brother of the former Conservative defence minister Nicholas Soames.

Domenica Lawson, two, daughter of Dominic Lawson and the Hon Rosa Monckton, the friend with whom Diana enjoyed a holiday in the month before her death.

Will changed

The executors authorised changes to Diana's will to ensure the godchildren received a gift, as they thought the Princess would have wanted her godchildren to have an heirloom to remember her by.

The items to be left to the godchildren were included as part of a catalogue compiled by Christie's.

The catalogue was ordered by the executors shortly after Diana's death to value her possessions.

The legal firm Lawrence Graham is handling the will for executors of the estate.

Martyn Gowar, from the firm, added: "The trustees have decided on the items for each of the children.

"There are a range of things like pictures, nice pieces of china and some special photographs.

Items to be given to the godchildren, which are in a Christie's catalogue, include a decanter, carriage clock, three watercolour paintings, a model harp and an Odenby coffee service.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©