On Diana's Island, the Earl Waded Ankle-Deep in the Flowers; WITH HER GRAVE SUBMERGED IN BLOOMS, THE PRINCESS'S BROTHER THANKS THE WORLD FOR THE TRIBUTES WHICH GAVE THE SPENCERS SUCH COMFORT

Beginning of article

Byline: PAUL HARRIS

SOMEWHERE behind the black iron gates of Althorp House, in the fragrant breeze of countless flowers, she has finally found the privacy her brother said she wanted.

No crowds, no paparazzi or bullish TV crews, just the still waters of seclusion. And, of course, those flowers.

In possibly the most sombre moment since her funeral, Earl Spencer waded ankle deep yesterday among the millions of blooms which became a spontaneous symbol of a nation's grief.

He took a boatload of bouquets and wreaths from the gates of Althorp across the lake to the island where Princess Diana was laid to rest on Saturday.

Then, in silence, he …