PRINCESS Diana allowed hospice staff to enjoy their very own brush with royalty when she paid a visit to Basildon in November 1990.
The Princess of Wales visited St Luke’s Hospice’s new headquarters at Fobbing Farm, off Nethermayne.
The princess headed to Basildon to celebrate the opening of the site, which had welcomed its first hospice patient just months earlier.
Families lined the streets with banners and badges with slogans such as I Love Basildon adorning them as Princess Diana rolled into town.
With the pen in hand - Princess Diana signs a photograph of herself during her visit to St Luke’s Hospice
The princess met the adoring crowds, shook hands and took time to say hello to the people who spent hours waiting to catch a glimpse of her.
Diana unveiled a commemorative plaque at the hospice to mark her visit.
All smiles - children holding I Love Basildon badges wait patiently as they attempt to catch a glimpse of Princess Diana
Scroll down to see more eye-catching images of Princess Diana's trip to Basildon.
Wave - south Essex residents were out in force and lined the streets when Princess Diana came to Basildon in 1990
A moment to remember - Princess Diana shakes hands and holds a conversation with a fan
In awe - St Luke’s Hospice’s Trudy Cox is left starstruck as Princess Diana signs a photo of herself
I come bearing gifts - Erica Storer took flowers with her when royalty came to south Essex
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Patient - royalty fans wait in anticipation of meeting the much-loved princess
How the site looks today - St Luke’s Hospice, at Fobbing Farm, still plays a key role in the south Essex community
People’s Princess - Diana was happy to support charities and celebrated the opening of St Luke’s Hospice’s new site
Tragedy - tributes continue to be paid after Princess Diana tragically died in August 1997, less than seven years after visiting St Luke’s Hospice
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