BOSSES at a Suffolk hospice have decided to keep a framed photograph of Princess Diana in pride of place ready for a visit from the Prince of Wales and his new wife.

BOSSES at a Suffolk hospice have decided to keep a framed photograph of Princess Diana in pride of place ready for a visit from the Prince of Wales and his new wife.

The photograph of the late princess, who was killed in a car crash eight years ago next month, hangs in St Nicholas' Hospice in Bury St Edmunds.

This week a portrait of Diana was moved from a prominent position at Cardiff City Hall after it was thought leaving it up “could have been insensitive” in light of a visit from the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Ron Overton, chief executive of the hospice, said he had considered the possibility of removing their own framed picture if it was deemed inappropriate to leave it in full view of the royal newlyweds.

But he confirmed a decision had been taken that the picture, taken when the Princess of Wales opened the building just over ten years ago, would remain firmly on the wall.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the hospice next week as part of celebrations to open the long-awaited millennium tower at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

Mr Overton said: “We were delighted when Princess Diana opened the new building, and we are equally delighted to welcome Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall during their visit next Friday.

“It did cross my mind whether to take the picture down or not. We wanted to make sure that we had discussed it properly. I took a tour of the hospice with the Prince's private secretary, to make sure we had covered all the angles and that everyone was happy with the arrangements for the visit.

“The hospice is held in very high regard by the royal family, and we are very grateful for the support we have received, not just from Diana but from other members as well.

“In the end we decided it was nonsensical to take the picture down, and we are very pleased that it can remain on the wall.”

As well as taking time to speak to patients and staff at the hospice during the visit on July 22, the royal couple will attend a special service in celebration of the new tower, and will visit Lavenham for a tour of the Guildhall and headquarters of the Suffolk Preservation Society.

A spokesman for Clarence House said: “The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are very much looking forward to meeting everyone at the hospice.

“We understand that the Princess of Wales had a good relationship with the hospice, and the painting is not something that anyone has an issue with.”