When bodyguard Lee Sansum received a letter from Princess Diana just the month before her death, he had no idea just how poignant her words would be.
The short note, dated July 23, 1997, thanks the protection officer for looking after the princess and her sons William and Harry during a holiday in St Tropez.
It states: “We realise our presence, along with that of the media, made your job enormously difficult, and for that we apologise.
“However, we all had a magical 10 days – which would not have been possible without your invaluable contribution and for that, we all send our warmest possible thanks.”
Just five weeks later, Princess Diana died in a car crash while being chased by the papparazzi through a tunnel in Paris.
Twenty years on, Mr Sansum holds the letter dear, along with his memories of the Diana.
The security consultant, of Elgin,said: “My clearest memories are of her vitality, her fun and her fondness for her boys.
“I’ve protected some amazing people over the years, but she was the most charismatic and down-to-earth person I had the honour to work.
“I’m very glad her personality and drive to ensure her boys led as normal life as they could has enabled them to follow in her footsteps.”
Asked about the single attribute which made the biggest impression on him, Mr Samsum replied quickly: “Her lust for life.”