Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer opens up about the anniversary of her death: 'It does take me out at the knees'

Spencer says he is ‘always surprised’ by how hard he finds the day

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Earl Spencer has opened up about his grief over the loss of his sister, Princess Diana.

Speaking on Radio 4, the 55-year-old explained that he is “surprised” by how difficult he finds the anniversary of her death.

“I'm always surprised by how difficult August 31 is each year actually,” he said. 

“I always slightly brace myself for it and it does take me out at the knees. It is a very poignant time.”

Spencer continued: "It's very odd when you lose someone very close.

“There are holes in every family that can't be filled.”

Diana died in a car crash in 1997, marking 23 years since her death.

Charles also recalled struggling with his sister's fame when he was young, explaining: "I remember when she got engaged and suddenly realising this girl I'd grown up with was world famous.

"I remember my first reaction to the extreme level of global fame was always having an ache listening to the news.

“I thought if something ever happened to her, It would be the first item on the news. Even as a teenager I was conscious it would be the top bulletin.”

Charles was asked how he heard about his sister’s death.

“I was on the phone to my other sister Jane and her husband worked for the Queen and he was on another line,” he said.

"I heard him go ‘Oh no,’ and that's when I knew."