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From a religious statue to shelves filled with porcelain figurines, this fascinating photograph offers a rare glimpse into Princess Diana's private sanctuary inside Kensington Palace.

Taken just days after her death, the image of her sitting room, where she is said to have spent much of her time, reveals how the princess filled her personal space with photos, mementos and trinkets that reminded her of her passions, hobbies and, most of all, her family.

Believed to be among the only pictures in existence of Apartments 8 and 9 in Kensington Palace, it was taken by Diana's private butler Paul Burrell, who worked for her from 1987, as part of an inventory just days after she was killed in Paris in August 1997. Other images in the collection capture the Princess' bedroom, dressing room and drawing room just as it was left before her ill-fated trip.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Burrell said: 'When the Princess died, I felt it was appropriate to record where she had lived, spent much of her married life and brought up the Princes.

'These interiors were chosen by the Princess. This was the place she called home. Shortly after she died, her memory was erased from Kensington Palace.' 

The Princess's sitting room: 1. Large framed photograph of two dancers, believed to be ballerinas; 2. Wooden table filled with framed family photos; 3. Telephone on a separate stand; 4. Stuffed toy, believed to be a seal; 5. Miniature Christ The Redeemer statue; 6. Letter rack with a vocabulary list propped against it; 7. Pen pot; 8. Framed photo of Prince Harry; 9. Photo frame with black-and-white images; 10. Leather-topped writing desk where she spent much of her time; 11. Framed black-and-white photo of Prince Harry; 12. Greeting card with a heart design; 13. Ballerina figurine - Diana once dreamed of becoming a ballerina; 14. Framed photo of Prince William; 15. Collection of Herend porcelain animal figurines; 16; Framed picture of a bird, believed to be a kingfisher; 17. Comfortable sofa with patterned floral cushions

As the Royal family prepare to mark 20 years since Diana's death, the photographs provide a fascinating insight into the Princess' home life, including stuffed toys, colourful tapestries, ornamental plates and countless framed photographs of her loved ones. 

Decked out in floral wallpaper, pastel colours and hung with countless photos of her young sons, Princes William and Harry, the two apartments were combined to create a home for the newly-married Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981.

One image shows the Princess' sitting room, where she and her sons would watch television. Leaning against her desk is a giant stuffed animal, believed to be a seal. 

Among all the pens and pencils, blotters and paper on the desk itself, there is also a miniature statue of Jesus - and even more photographs of her sons.

Against the letter rack, which would have been filled with personalised stationery, rests a 'vocabulary list' written in Diana's own hand. 

On the bookshelf behind sits some of her prized collection of Herend porcelain animal figurines, including several birds and hares, alongside a miniature ballet dancer - a reminder of her lifelong love of dance. 

The walls are covered in art, including a large framed photograph of two dancers, believed to be ballerinas, in yet another nod to her passion.  

Further evidence of Diana's fondness for stuffed animals is a couch on her bedroom piled high with cuddly toys, one of which is a checked frog the Princess made as a little girl.

In one image, showing the inside of her dressing room, are countless images of Diana and her sons as well as what appears to be a handwritten note and a child's drawing of a flower. 

The Royal family is preparing to mark the 20-year anniversary of Diana's death at the end of this month. Pictured: The Princess in Hong Kong in 1989, wearing a bespoke Catherine Walker outfit and bracelet now owned by the Duchess of Cambridge

The Princess's collection of stuffed toys, on a couch in her bedroom. The checked frog is one which she made as a little girl according to Burrell, who said: 'Shortly after she died, her memory was erased from Kensington Palace'

The Princess's dressing room, which was covered with pictures of her and her sons William and Harry. Near the door frame is hanging what appears to be two handwritten letters and a picture of a flower in a child's hand

The drawing room, painted in yellow, where the princess often played the grand piano. A large tapestry depicting a countryside scene hangs on the wall to the right, with every surface covered in framed photographs of Diana's loved ones

Another shows the grand piano she loved to play in the drawing room. A keen musician, she once wowed spectators by playing Rachmaninov during a royal tour of Australia and was said to enjoy playing Bach in her private apartments. 

After Diana's death in 1997, mourners flooded the gates of Kensington Palace - or KP, as she reportedly called it - with flowers, cards, candles and balloons in a poignant tribute to the 'People's Princess'. 

Her apartment was stripped to the bare floorboards and even the light fittings were removed, with the residence remaining empty for years before undergoing a two-year renovation.

Kensington Palace is now home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, with nearby Ivy Cottage set aside for Princess Eugenie.