The hugely popular princess will long be remembered for her striking outfits and warm smile.

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The Princess of Wales visited the Isle of Wight twice in the 1980s. In June 1985, she toured the Adelaide Court complex in Ryde, visited Sandown Fire Station and saw the East Yar Road Business Centre in Sandown during a packed itinerary.

She was just 24 at the time and proved a hit with the crowds in Ryde and Sandown.

In December 1988, she visited FBM Marine shipyard in Cowes to launch the new Customers cutter, HMCC Vigilant and met with many local schoolchildren — including Laura and Lucy Cotton of Cowes — as well as dignitaries such as Lord Mottistone, then lord lieutenant of the Island; Barry Field, then Island MP, and Brian Drake, the Isle of Wight County Council chairman at the time.

Princess Diana’s December 1988 visit, where she received a bouquet from FBM apprentice Penny Nixon, 16. Behind is FBM managing director, Jack Barr.

We asked the members of the We grew up on the Isle of Wight Facebook group for their memories of her visits.

Jane Moat said: "My late mother-in-law, Marion Perkins, was a councillor for one of the East Cowes wards at the time of the 1985 visit and I accompanied her to the opening of The Adelaide.

"We all had to gather at Westridge Leisure Centre in the restaurant where we were assigned to groups. We then boarded school buses and with a police escort, were taken in a convoy to The Adelaide, where we all gathered in the foyer to wait for HRH to unveil the plaque.

"She was very beautiful and very gracious. After the unveiling, we all went through into a huge marquee, where once again, in our groups, we sat at tables with lovely food.

"Diana casually made her way round, sitting and chatting with people as she went (I hope they fed her too!) Sadly, before she got to our table, she ran out of time and had to leave, so I never got the opportunity to speak to her, but to this day I feel very privileged to have been in her presence. She was indeed a true princess!"

Lucy Bell added: "If I remember correctly, my dad got caught up in the police motorcycles that drove next to her car as security he was on a scooter with a luminous jacket on.

"When the car stopped he was next to the car and Diana told him he was doing a good job… ironic I guess, as he was not a policeman or security!"

Chris Harding said: "I was standing on the corner of Adelaide Place and Ratcliffe Avenue as she was driven around the corner down to the Adelaide Club. We had a great view as the car slowed for the corner."

Julie Jordan added: "My children waited with flowers when she visited the Adelaide in Ryde and were so disappointed she didn’t see them."

• Were you there? Scroll down for a link to share your photos and tell us your story!

Pamela Cant recalled that her late friend, Tony Tickner, was given the task of raising the flag on that occasion. Pamela said: "He was very proud when Diana said to him: "thank you for looking after my flag!"

Angie Hougham waited on Morton Common to see her drive past, while Judith Roberts hoped to spot her from a vantage point on The Broadway and Sue Nicholls remembers her trip to Sandown too.

Angela Carter remembered Princess Di's later visit to Cowes in 1988, when she wore an eye-catching yellow-checked coat.

Like reading stories about the Isle of Wight in bygone days? Click here to visit our Looking Back section for more nostalgic articles.

Do you have lovely memories of life on the Isle of Wight? If so, click here to visit the We grew up on the Isle of Wight Facebook group and join in the fun!