A DENBIGHSHIRE resident has been remembering Diana, the Princess of Wales on the 25th anniversary of her death.

Diana died in Paris on August 31, 1997 at the age of 36.

Colin Edwards, of Ruthin, met her on scores of occasions and he has many warm memories of their meetings.

"When it was announced (her death), I couldn't believe it," said Mr Edwards.

"I felt I had a rapport with her. I met her over 60 times.

"In a way, I felt I had lost a friend.

"After two or three meetings with Diana, she was definitely recognising me. After a few meetings, she was calling me Colin. 

"She would say 'hello Colin, I haven't seen you for a while'.

"She was such an easy person to speak to.

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"She had a gift of being able to speak to anyone."

Mr Edwards, who worked for Denbighshire County Council prior to his retirement, has travelled the length and breadth of Britain meeting members of the Royal Family.

He has met The Queen on more than 150 occasions and he has been meeting and photographing the royal family since 1982.

Earlier this summer, Mr Edwards staged his 18th royal photography exhibition at St Peter's Church, in Ruthin, to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

He has been collecting Royal memorabilia since he was 12 years old.

Mr Edwards, 81, travelled down to London for Diana's funeral.

He added: "I camped out overnight in the Mall for the funeral.

"I travelled down to London the night before and it was heartbreaking.

"I had met her so many times. I felt I had to be there.

"I can hardly believe it's 25 years ago."

Mr Edwards recalled meeting Diana outside Chester Cathedral in 1984.

Then, in 1981, he met her at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

"In 1998 I was living in Macclesfield and a took an exhibition of photographs all over the country," he added.

"I was overwhelmed by the response."