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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Phoebe Barton

25th anniversary of Diana's death: The time the Princess shopped at Tesco in Southport in 1990

Among Princess Diana's many trips to Merseyside was a visit to Southport.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the death of the "People’s Princess", we look back at the time Diana headed to Tesco in Southport on September 11, 1990. Fascinating photos from that day show the Princess of Wales pushing a trolley around the store as she browsed the fruit and veg aisle and the fish and meat counters.

Diana was on an official royal visit to the region which included the trip to the supermarket. While in Merseyside, she also visited Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital where she met patients and staff.

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For her visit to Tesco in Southport, Diana wore a pale pink tailored suit comprising a long double-breasted blazer and a pencil skirt with purple trim. As well as shopping for some fresh food and goodies, Diana spoke to a number of shoppers and children, and gave healthy eating advice.

Diana browses the fruit and veg aisle in Tesco in Southport, September 1990. (Getty Images)

In 2016, Community Champion for Southport Tesco, Lesley Kirkbride, recalled the special day to the Southport Visiter. She said: “My son was one of the children who met her.

“BirthRight was Tesco’s charity of the year and we were collecting cans along with Blue Peter. It was an amazing day. She was brilliant with the children and spoke to all of them making reference to William who is the same age as my son.”

Diana browses the fish counter at Tesco in Southport, September 11, 1990. (Mirrorpix)

Two years later on June 12, 1992, Diana returned to Southport for what would be the last time to open Queenscourt Hospice in Kew. It was a visit that became iconic when the former Princess became emotional.

Diana's trip to Southport in 1992 was her first official Royal engagement after rumours had started to circulate that she had split from Prince Charles. While meeting the crowds after visiting the Hospice, Diana began to cry and was whisked away into her car.

What are your memories of Diana visiting Southport? Let us know in the comments section below.

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