Prince Harry says Princess Diana’s death “left a huge hole inside” him.

The 36-year-old royal opened up about the devastating loss of his mother – who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997 when he was just 12 years old – in a foreword for new book ‘Hospital by the Hill’, which is being published to help children who have lost someone due to COVID-19.

Harry wrote: “At the time I didn’t want to believe it or accept it. I know how you feel, and I want to assure you that over time that hole will be filled with so much love and support.

“We all cope with loss in a different way, but when a parent goes to heaven, I was told their spirit, and their love and the memories of them do not. They are always with you and you can hold onto them forever. I find this to be true.

“You may feel alone, you may feel sad, you may feel angry, you may feel bad. This feeling will pass. And I will make a promise to you—you will feel better and stronger once you are ready to talk about how it makes you feel.”

Harry – who has son Archie with wife Duchess Meghan and another baby on the way this summer – added: “I wish I was able to hug you right now, I hope this story is able to provide you comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. Now, I never met them, but I know this person was special to you, and they were someone incredibly kind, caring and loving because of where they chose to work. Helping others is one of the most important jobs anyone can ever do.”