Diana fountain ready for opening

Princes William and Harry will attend the official opening on 6 July

A £3.6m fountain built in memory of Princess Diana has been filled with water in preparation for its official opening by the Queen next week.

Visitors to Hyde Park in central London were given a sneak preview of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain on Tuesday.

Designer Kathryn Gustafson said she wanted the fountain to reflect Diana's "inclusive" personality.

Princes William and Harry will attend the official opening on 6 July.

The Prince of Wales, Earl Spencer and other members of the late princess's family are also expected to attend.

One point I want to make is Diana was not grand... she was the most unstuffy person I think I know Rosa Monckton, Memorial Foundation Committee

The wording of a plaque, which will be unveiled by the Queen, has not yet been revealed.

The 700-tonne fountain, made from Cornish Granite, was criticised by Diana's mother Frances Shand Kydd, before her recent death, as having a "lack of grandeur".

But Rosa Monckton, of the Memorial Foundation Committee, said: "One of the criticisms I have read is that this fountain is not grand enough.

"One point I want to make is she was not grand. She was the most unstuffy person I think I know."

The fountain consists of a large stone ring with water pouring onto it, flowing in two directions at different speeds.

Children's play area

The centre may be used as a children's play area.

Ms Monckton added: "I particularly didn't want to have a colossal fountain. Something that you stare at. Something that becomes a spectacle.

"I feel that so much of her life she was a spectacle and this circle of water is somewhere children can play and people can go in and out."

The Spencers and Royal Family will be seen together at the official opening for the first time since the princess's funeral in 1997.