Philip's 'affection' for Diana

Extracts from personal correspondence between Princess Diana and her father-in-law, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the height of her marriage breakdown were read out today at the inquest into her death.

It was offered as evidence that they had genuine affection for each other, and that he would not have wanted her to die.

The so-called "Dearest Pa" letters were produced to the inquest by the Duke of Edinburgh's private secretary.

Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis had been called to give evidence on behalf of Prince Philip.

But when questioned, he said repeatedly that he "couldn't recall", "couldn't remember" and "was not aware" of any instances in which the royal family had discussed Diana's activities - even at the height of the media coverage of her marriage.

The princess's friend, Rosa Monckton, told how she had helped draft the letters, and decribed how the heart surgeon Hasnat Khan had been Diana's great love, not Dodi Fayed.

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