Prince reveals poignant Diana memory for US television

William’s poignant tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales was echoed by his brother Prince Harry who described her as having the “best seat in the house” during the Westminster Abbey service.

He added it was “very sad” that his mother would never meet his wife Kate.

The Duke and Harry’s comments came in an interview for American television with ABC News broadcaster Katie Couric ahead of this weekend’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Asked if he missed his mother on his wedding day last April, William replied “It was very difficult.”

He added: “I was sort of mentally prepared so I didn’t want any wobbly lips or anything going on.

“It’s the one time since she’s died, where I’ve thought to myself it would be fantastic if she was here.

“And just how sad really for her, more than anything, not being able to see it. Because I think she, she would have loved the day and I think, hopefully, she’d be very proud of us both for the day.

“I’m just very sad that she’s never going to get a chance to meet Kate.”

Harry joked and looked at ease during the royal wedding watched by an estimated global television audience of billions but admitted he had the jitters.

He said: “I was massively nervous. Everybody was nervous.

“And the whole thing was a bit of a blur to be honest, because, there was God knows how many millions or billions of eyes focused on us...”

Asked if it was difficult not having Diana with them, he replied: “Of course it was.”

He added: “You know, I think she had ... the best seat in the house probably, but, yeah she would have loved to have been there.”

Harry was interviewed in Brazil in March after his Diamond Jubilee tour of the Caribbean, while William spoke more recently at Clarence House.

Most Britons feel positive about national identity ahead of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

A survey for the Friends Reunited website found more than two thirds (68 per cent) currently rank their feelings about being British as “seven out of 10 or higher”.

Asked to rank “symbols” associated with being British, 82 per cent named fish and chips, 79 per cent mentioned the pound and 74 per cent said tea.

Others included Wimbledon (68 per cent), rain (61 per cent), and the Beatles and cricket, both named by 56 per cent of respondents. Football, a stiff upper lip, a love of the Monarchy and Imperial weights completed the top 10 .