Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton pens poem for ‘Nation’s Rose’ Princess Diana on Instagram

FORMULA One star Lewis Hamilton has penned a poem paying tribute to Princess Diana, 20 years after her death.

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Princess' death as mourners from around the world paid tribute.

But in an unexpected display of emotion, the 32-year-old motor racing star posted a lengthy poem on Instagram expressing sorrow over the tragedy.

The three-time Formula 1 world champion Hamilton called "England's Rose".

Hamilton, who was 12 at the time of her death, described how "the earth stood still" following the death of the "people's princess."

The poem also hints that the Mercedes driver would like to have seen Diana become Queen.

It has been viewed more than 200,000 times and is accompanied by a picture montage of the Princess of Wales.

Hamilton is currently in Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.

He wrote: "The day we lost our Nation's Rose,

"Tears we cried like rivers flowed,

"The earth stood still

"As we laid her to rest,

"A day you & I

"Will never forget,

"The people's princess

"Who came to see,

"The love from a country

"We'd hope she'd lead,

"England's beauty

"Captured in one sweet soul,

"Carried the torch

"God rest her soul,

"With the gift she had

"She'd light up the way,

"With a smile to show us a brighter day,

"Hearts still full

"Of the love she gave,

"20 years since she laid in her grave,

"There will never be another like you,

"Now a shining star in the midnight sky

"I will always remember you,

"Princess Diana,

As our sweet nation's rose."

Hamilton had earlier posted a quote from Diana on his Instagram page, saying: "I don't go by the rule book... I lead from the heart... not the heard."

Diana died on August 31, 1997, following a car crash which killed her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed and driver Henri Paul.