I HAVE always been a monarchist at heart, although harsh treatment of the young Princess of Wales raised doubts.

However it did seem that the Royals had recently learned valuable lessons, had sought to improve their image, be forgiving and to behave with more generosity of spirit.

Now I am at a loss to understand why no members of our royal family were present at the opening of Diana's Memorial Walk and Playground.

Perhaps someone could offer a reasonable explanation - not just a lame excuse - for this apparent cold, ungracious, disrespectful conduct and lapse in basic good manners?

It was a pleasure to see Rosa Monckton, her five-year-old daughter Domenica - and everyone else present on the joyous, yet poignant, occasion behaving with warmth and dignity in an exemplary manner.

I feel sure the princess would have been proud of Domenica - her little goddaughter - who could, quite obviously, teach the Windsors a thing or two about spontaneity.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves,

York.