THE Queen will seek to heal her rift with the Spencer family by officially opening a memorial fountain to Diana, Princess of Wales, reports suggested last night.

She is expected to make an emotive tribute at the July inauguration of the £3m monument in Hyde Park.

It is thought members of the Spencer family will attend the event alongside the Royal Family, making their first public appearance together since Diana’s funeral in 1997.

Reports also claim that the Queen has been urged to show affection for the Princess, following criticism of the Royal Family’s reaction in the wake of her death.

An adviser to the Queen said: "She needs to use the word ‘love’, which was absent in her address on the eve of the funeral."

It is reported that the Prince of Wales and sons Prince William and Prince Harry will attend the event with the Spencer family, represented by Earl Spencer and Lady Sarah McCorquodale.

Work began on the fountain last year at the side of the Serpentine after a design by American architect Kathryn Gustafson was chosen by a memorial committee.

Based on a large oval stone ring, water pours into the structure from the top of a hill at the Serpentine Bridge before running in two directions.

In one area it forms a tight, fast-flowing torrent, creating water jets, while in the opposite direction water forms a dish that "rocks and rolls" through a gentle incline.

Water from both sides collects in a dish-shaped pool, which will be shallow enough for children to paddle in.

Construction of the fountain was beset by delays and Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, criticised the design for a "lack of grandeur".

Buckingham Palace last night declined to confirm whether or not the Queen will carry out the opening ceremony.