She truly was the people's princess, etc.

Ten years ago today, I was staying in Huddersfield. It was the day after our picture editor's wedding, and everyonel the office had attended and we'd all got really drunk and had a great time.

So the next day, with Mrs F-C in the shower, I popped the telly on while I was waiting for her to finish so we could go to breakfast. Every channel seemed to be about Diana. Only when I saw her picture with the caption '1961-1997' did the penny drop. I must confess I had to sit down. It was quite a surprise.

Now, I'm no fan of the Royal household, but I do remember that breakfast very well. Where the night before we'd been jolliness personified, there was not a hangover to be seen, as everyone was jolted into reality. There was even the odd tear, something that's denied these days, but it was there alright. I went to knock up the stragglers and the conversation went like this:

'Yes?'

'It's me. Breakfast finishes in five minutes.

'OK thanks!'

'And Princess Diana's dead.'

*stunned silence*

It's something we really laugh about now.

But at the time the whole thing was quite something. But I had not time for all that Dianamania, which is to blame for so many of society's ills today, IMHO. Mrs F-C was steely from the get-go, which surprised no one.

Still, can't believe it's 10 years ago and it's something none of us will ever forget, whether we liked her or not.