A CLOSE friend of the Princess of Wales, who has been honoured for her charity work, has said she was inspired by Diana.

Rosa Monckton has been made an MBE for her voluntary and charitable services to people with learning difficulties and their families.

Speaking after an investiture at Buckingham Palace, she said Diana did a “lot for disenfranchised people”.

With Diana godmother to her daughter Domenica, who has Down’s syndrome, Ms Monckton said she was inspired by her royal friend’s work.

“She once said that ‘everybody needs to be valued, everybody has the potential to give something back’,” she said.