The Spencers were shown to be a typical family, riven with estrangements, heated rows and disagreements.

Princess Diana's relationship with her mother Frances Shand Kydd, in particular, was put under the Old Bailey spotlight.

Mrs Shand Kydd appeared frail and weak in court

During the trial it emerged Diana had not spoken to her mother for the last four months of her life.

Mrs Shand Kydd revealed the rift while giving evidence in court.

Lord Carlile QC, defending Mr Burrell, suggested it "arose as a result of an argument that you and she had had about her private life and the company she was keeping".

Mrs Shand Kydd replied firmly: "No."

At the time of Diana's death, and in the months leading up to it, the princess was having a relationship with Dodi Fayed, the son of Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed.

Lord Carlile said: "She was a single woman and perfectly entitled if she wished to have relations with whosoever she wished."

"Yes," Mrs Shand Kydd replied.

Lord Carlile said: "But the profound nature of that last quarrel was because you did not approve of some of the people with which she had personal relations?"

"Incorrect", Mrs Shand Kydd told the court.

Return to sender

The court heard that Mrs Shand Kydd had repeatedly written to her daughter but the letters were returned unopened.

When she was asked whose handwriting was on the envelopes, she replied: "Hers."

Mrs Shand Kydd said her relationship with her daughter could be tempestuous at times.

Letters revealed rows between Earl Spencer and Diana

And she admitted she had had rifts with other members of her family.

The court also heard how Diana had put the telephone down on her brother, Earl Spencer, when he refused to let her have a cottage on his estate after the break-up of her marriage to Prince Charles.

The nature of the strained relationship between the pair emerged as a series of letters were read out in court.

They revealed the earl felt Diana's presence would bring unwelcome disruption.

Apologising, he wrote: "In theory, it would be lovely to help you out and I'm sorry I can't do that."

In the next letter, he begins: "Knowing the state you were in the other day when you hung up on me, I doubt whether reading this will help our relationship."

He later began returning her letters unopened.