Diana spent her teenage years at Althorp

Earl Spencer has also lent his support to the idea of building a fountain in central London as a memorial to the Diana.

He defended his decision to establish the museum and said it was exactly what he wanted.

"I am a brother who has lost a sister and brothers who lose sisters don't profit from their death," he said.

"I've always tried to balance my own ideas against what I think Diana would have wanted."

'Pride'

The Earl said he had ordered staff responsible for creating the museum "to take it into a different stratosphere from any other stately home in the country".

"I am very, very proud of what we have done," he added.

"I think it is a matter of pride for everyone who has been involved."

Visitors can see the island where Diana is buried

He said that he had lost about �200,000 last year but still made a donation to the memorial fund.

The Earl also revealed that Princes William and Harry, for whom he expressed concern at Diana's funeral in September 1997, were "coping very well".

He said on Thursday: "I was just hoping they would turn out as their mother would have wanted them to turn out.

"They have certainly done that.

"Over the past four years they have shown no sign of self pity.

"I think she would be immensely proud of them."