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Diana 'would have liked a daughter'
Last updated at 16:07pm on 28.12.06
The princess is said to have wanted a daughter
Diana, Princess of Wales, wanted to have more children - girls for preference, her former private secretary disclosed.
And Patrick Jephson, writing in The Spectator magazine, said he was sure that Diana, given the chance, would have welcomed the opportunity to mentor Kate Middleton, Prince William's girlfriend, as "the next English rose to take on the mantle of queen-in-waiting."
Mr Jephson said it was not fanciful to imagine Diana's affection for a daughter-in-law who compensated for her unfulfilled wish to have daughters of her own.
He said he now regretted that three years ago he did not place a bet on Miss Middleton becoming a future queen.
"The smart money now says that brand Windsor is about to get a much-needed injection of fresh young glamour to complement its established octogenarian market leader."
Mr Jephson said a royal engagement could perk up the most jaded monarchist and make a monarchist out of a non-believer.
But he warned that it would be a great disservice to both women to remember Diana only from the distorted viewpoint of Di-phobic courtiers and cronies.
Mr Jephson added that Miss Middleton should vet her advisers with ruthless care.
