Lewis Hamilton writes poem in tribute to Princess Diana

Lewis Hamilton has written an emotional poem to Princess Diana to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death.

Hamilton was 12 when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in a Paris tunnel, an event which shocked the world.

Hamilton, who has always expressed an interest in music and a creative career when he stops racing, posted the poem, entitled England's Rose, on his Instagram page.

The Mercedes driver later explained to Sky Sports News why he decided to pen the tribute.

"Building up to the weekend I hadn't even though that date was coming up and yesterday I really spent a lot of the day reflecting on it," said Hamilton.

"I was 12 years old [when she died], I was so affected by what happened. It was so strange because I wasn't one to watch too much of what was going on in the Royal Family, but she was just such an iconic women who had such a great heart and soul.

"When the day happened it was a really emotional day. I've not thought about it too much since then, but it was just a reminder looking at photos yesterday I thought that it would be great to share some with fans. Those words are just how I feel about it.

"I loved her as much as anyone else in the world and there is so much love for her. She definitely went too soon. There's never going to be anyone else like her but she inspired a lot of people around the world, including me."

England's Rose
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 and 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

By Lewis Hamilton