Sarah Ferguson has shared a touching tribute to her late friend and former sister-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The royal, who was once married to the then-Prince Charles, would be 63-years-old today.

Meanwhile, Fergie was married to Prince Andrew. However, the two met as teenagers, before they married Queen Elizabeth II‘s sons.

Sharing her poignant message on Instagram today, Sarah wrote: ‘Happy birthday to my dear friend, Diana.

‘You were a pillar of light and love. And what a legacy you have left behind. I will forever remember our laughter and the kindred, kind spirit I found in you. I am sure you are watching over us always. Rest in peace my friend.’

Sarah Ferguson (pictured, left) shared this image of herself and ‘kindred spirit’ Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured, right) on Instagram today, to mark the late royal’s birthday

The Duchess of York accompanied the photograph with a touching message, in which she described her friend as ‘a pillar of light and love’

The Duchess of York, 63, has previously spoken about the close bond she shared with the late Princess of Wales, denying the rift rumours that had swirled around the pair.

Speaking to People magazine in 2021, Sarah said: ‘We promised each other we would always be together – there was never any daylight between us,

‘But everybody wanted that because we were so strong together. People want to break something so strong.’

Sarah said the two were ‘best friends’ and that she called the Princess of Wales ‘Duch’.

‘She taught me so much of public life. She was so brave. We used to have the most incredible time together,’ Sarah added.

Speaking about her old friend as an aunt and mother, Sarah said that Diana ‘adored’ her sons Princes William and Harry, as well as adoring Sarah’s two daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

She added that Diana would be ‘very proud’ of both her sons and their ‘wonderful’ wives, and would be ‘completed obsessed with her five grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Taking to Sarah’s post from today, a number of her followers shared their own tributes to the late princess.

Sarah’s followers took to the comment section, to share their own tributes to both the late Princess and Sarah

One wrote: ‘You could have been 63 but you remained 36, Blessed Heavenly Birthday Our Queen Of Hearts! Rip Princess Diana.’

Another added: ‘Two wonderful women that supported each other separated too soon. Best friends.’

A third wrote: ‘I think she found support and relief in your company. Happy birthday Diana.’

In a similar vein, another Instagram user said: ‘Duchess, what a beautiful photo and what deep words.’

And a fifth added: ‘You two would be having so much fun right now [if] she was still here.’