A grief-stricken Diana fan has shut his tea shop as a mark of respect to the People’s Princess.

David Daly marked the 12th anniversary of Princess Di’s death with a lavish ceremony.

He carried a floral tribute to the princess down St James’s Street to Brighton’s war memorial in Old Steine, where he laid the elaborate wreath bearing her name.

The ceremony then included a candlelit vigil and a flock of doves being released in George Street, Kemp Town.

Mr Daly, who has continued his mourning at Windsor today, said he will not open his shop, the Tea Cosy, in George Street, until Saturday as a “mark of respect”.

The 30-year-old said: “We have always been big fans of Princess Diana and think it’s important she is not forgotten.

The world is a much sadder place without her.

Her commitment to the endless charities she supported shows what a great lady we have lost.

“The Tea Cosy is a living monument to Diana.”

More than 25 guests attended the tea shop for the event on Monday night and a crowd filled the street outside.

Mr Daly said: “The memorial evening was a great success.

“The Mayor of Brighton and Hove attended to turn on our Diana memorial fountain and was presented with a miniature replica of Diana’s casket spray as a gift.

“We were inundated with email messages of support from all around the world on Monday which helped us through the day.

“Our thoughts remain with William and Harry this week and the Tea Cosy flag will remain at half-mast until Friday evening.

“Our Diana floral display was moved to the memorial fountain so a wider audience could enjoy the flowers and remember Diana in their own way.”

The Royal British Legion said the war memorial belongs to Brighton and Hove City Council, so the Tea Cosy would not have had to seek its permission to lay the wreath.