compassion following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

According to a message released yesterday by Governor Thorold Masefield, the Prince of Wales and young Prince William and Prince Harry were "enormously touched by the public support shown them all around the world and have taken great strength from it''.

"As you might imagine, many hundreds of thousands of people around the world have, since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, sent letters of condolence and presents to The Prince of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry at St. James' Palace in London,'' Mr. Masefield wrote.

"The volume of correspondence has been quite overwhelming and whilst The Prince of Wales has ensured that as many as possible of the more than 300,000 letters have been answered, this will not be possible in every case.

"It is with this in mind that The Prince of Wales and the young Princes have asked me to make known to the people of Bermuda their appreciation of the very kind thoughts and tremendous generosity which they have shown in many letters they have written and the gifts they have sent...

"The Prince of Wales and his sons would like, through me, to say thank you, and to pass on to everybody who wrote to them their heartfelt best wishes, and to ensure them that every letter has been read and each one gratefully received.'' Yesterday, Mr. Masefield joined Bermuda National Trust president Hugh Davidson in planting a Pink Shower tree at the Trust's garden at Waterville, Paget in memory of Princess Diana.

MEMORABLE EVENT -- Governor Thorold Masefield plants a Pink Shower tree in the Bermuda National Trust's garden at Waterville, Paget in memory of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Looking on, from left, are the Trust's gardening foreman Saleem Madyun, Trust president Hugh Davidson, Mrs. Masefield, and chairperson of the Trust's gardens and nature reserves, Judy Kitson.