London - Charities for which Diana, Princess of Wales, had acted as patron said yesterday they had lost an "irreplaceable" ambassador after her death in Paris.
Whether comforting AIDS victims or the homeless or pressing on with her personal crusade against the international trade and use of landmines, Diana's charity work ensured a flurry of publicity for the organisations that she represented.
Immediately following her divorce from Charles in July 1996, Diana decided to renounce her patronage of about 100 good causes to which she had lent her support, as varied as women's indoor bowling and the Variety Club of New Zealand. She remained as patron or president to six charities, including some supporting the homeless, AIDS sufferers, hospitals and the English National Ballet.