Diana, Princess of Wales inspiration for new novel

Author Monica Ali has said she hopes she has created a "sympathetic portrayal" of Diana, Princess of Wales, after penning a novel imagining what could have happened if the princess had not died.

Untold Story tells the tale of Lydia, a princess who, tired of constant media attention, fakes her own death and deserts her family to seek a life away from the spotlight in midwest America.

The writer said she was overwhelmed by the interest in the book, which she attributes to Prince William's decision to propose to girlfriend Kate Middleton with his mother's engagement ring.