07-09-2007 13:00
It continued: "Questions about Princess Diana will be entertained if they pertain to her life growing up in Althorp, memories of the estate, favourite rooms, favourite pieces of furniture, etc. Common sense and courtesy should be used here".
Earl Spencer - who has in the past refused to discuss Diana publicly - did not mention his sister once when he discussed his favourite items of furniture on display.
He said half the items are exact replicas of furniture from Althorp, while the others are "inspired" by pieces from the family home.
One customer, who asked if the furniture had been made in America - after the earl paid tribute to "this great country" in his speech - was disappointed to be told they were "handmade by craftsmen" in Vietnam.
Only one guest mentioned Diana, asking the earl what it was like to be the brother of the most famous woman in the world.
Earl Spencer made a joke about not knowing Madonna's brother, before replying it was "a great privilege and an honour".
He added: "I really admire everything Diana did hugely. She did so many fabulous things.
"In the Diana exhibition at Althorp I tried to remind people about the tremendous humanitarian works she did too.
"People say to me 'Why is she so famous?' She was unique. There are plenty of glamorous people and plenty of humanitarians but she crossed the divide between the two."
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