Prince William greets well-wishers for holding vigil to mark Diana's birthday

Prince William – Well-wishers became tearful last night as the Duke of Cambridge thanked them for marking his mother’s birthday.

The fans had been holding a vigil outside Kensington Palace since 5.30am to remember what would have been Diana, Princess of Wales‘ 58th birthday.

At around 6.45pm they were astounded to see her eldest son walk quietly and without fanfare through the palace gates into Kensington Gardens with a small security detail.

William walked up to the six of them, who were surrounded by pictures of his late mother along with bunting and flowers, and shook each by the hand.

‘William told me he knew we’d been coming here for years and thanked us for what we were doing for his mother,’ said 59-year-old fan John Loughrey, from south-west London. ‘I’m still shaking now. I feel very emotional,’ he added

Mr Loughrey said the prince also admired the badges of Diana on his hat and said he thought it was ‘wonderful’ that they were celebrating his mother’s life and legacy.

‘He said ‘I’m touched by what you do, you’ve got quite the collection.”I told him that I pray for his mother every Sunday at Westminster Abbey and he seemed really touched.

‘He shook my hand three times, he has a really firm shake, and I felt a beautiful feeling go through my body. I think I’m still shaking now. I feel very emotional.’

Mr Loughrey asked when the much-talked about statue to his late mother would finally be effected in her memory outside the palace.

William pointed to the gardens, where he revealed it would be situated, and said: ‘Soon, very soon. We just want to make sure it is right. It’s important to get it right.’

Asked why he held a vigil on the princess’s birthday and the anniversary of her death Mr Loughrey added: ‘She was born with two hearts, one for her and one for us. People must never forget that.

‘I have never spoken to William before, only seen him, but he made a beeline for me and he knew who I was. I am so touched. He seemed really moved that we were here.’

Also among the fans was Maria Scott, 48, from Newcastle, and Sky London, 59, from Paddington.

Sky had been asleep when the prince arrived but was woken by his friends.