Memories of when Princess Diana visited the Isle of Wight in the 1980s

The County Press looks back at the memorable moments. Scroll through the pictures above, and below

The Island had links to the royal bride-to-be which pre-dated her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles.

Her ancestors were prominent in Ryde for many years and St Thomas’s Church, the oldest in the town, has had the royal cypher and arms of the Spencer family hanging side-by-side for more than 150 years.

Princess Diana with the Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Nicholson. Right is IW MP Stephen Ross. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Princess Diana’s first visit to the Island was on May 30, 1985, when she toured the £1 million Adelaide Centre assisted accommodation and respite facility at Ryde.

Although security guards kept a close eye on the Princess, when the crowds began to chant “we want Di”, she walked away from her escorts and scrambled up the grassy bank to chat to excited spectators.

Former County Press reporter Richard Wright was there to cover the visit for The Portsmouth News.

He later said: “I was one of the press corps at the height of Di fever to meet her at the opening of the Adelaide Centre.

“She wore a stunning white twopiece and captivated the hundreds there simply with her presence.

“My colleague, photographer Chris Thwaites, and I agreed: “Di’s eyes had it. She spoke volumes with a glance.”

The eyes had it (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

She also visited Fern young enterprise centre at Ryde and spoke to some of the apprentices at work.

She also found time during her visit to walk about in Sandown, chatting with residents and holidaymakers.

Two fire engines were also given royal titles after Diana suggested they be named Harry and William, after her two sons.

Her final point of call was the East Yar Road business centre.

The Princess receives a bouquet from apprentice Penny Nixon, 16, watched by FBM managing director Jack Barr. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Her second visit to the IW was a flying one in May, 1985, — arriving by helicopter in East Cowes on a ten-minute stop-over on her way to a children’s party aboard the QE2.

Diana’s final visit was on December 5, 1988, and a bitterly cold wind did not deter the Princess from walking among the crowds at Cowes.

Linda Hamblin was 31 when she met Diana in Cowes. She said: “She was very relaxed and easy to talk to and very beautiful.

“I immediately felt a connection with her and forgot royal protocol and said ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Diana’.

“But she wasn’t worried and carried on smiling and talking about her son.

“Her interest in you was genuine, especially if it was anything to do with children — she clearly adored her little children.”

Following the tragic death of Princess Diana, crowds packed St Thomas’s Church, Newport, for a memorial service.

At the memorial service, archdeacon the Ven Mervyn Banting said: “Diana’s gift was her ability to reach out and touch people who were “untouchable” and in doing so remind them they were still part of the human race.

“We must build into our lives that precious gift and we have that capacity already — to touch, to care and to include.”