It is not every day a Princess comes to visit you at work.

Eastern Daily Press: Princess Diana visiting Acle Ward of the Old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Photo: Karen HicksPrincess Diana visiting Acle Ward of the Old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Photo: Karen Hicks (Image: Karen Hicks)

But on May 11 1988, Karen Hicks, an auxiliary nurse at the Old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, hosted her royal role model Princess Diana.

The picture shows Mrs Hicks, a Hellesdon resident, with the late Diana standing at a patient's bedside; unaware the hospital photographer was capturing the special moment on film.

Although the hospital staff knew a member of the royal family would be visiting, the identity of the guest was kept secret for weeks leading up to the event. Mrs Hicks remembers there being plenty of discussion over who it would be.

She said: 'Nobody was allowed to know who from the royal family was coming. When we found out who it was the excitement was amazing.'

Eastern Daily Press: Diana, the Princess of Wales, unveils a plaque to open the Splash swimming pool in Sheringham on 11 May, 1988. Photo: Archant LibraryDiana, the Princess of Wales, unveils a plaque to open the Splash swimming pool in Sheringham on 11 May, 1988. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Princess Diana was in Norfolk opening leisure pool Splash! in Sheringham, but visited the Acle Ward of the hospital to spend time with patients and staff.

Nobody wanted to miss the visit, including Mrs Hicks, who was supposed to be on annual leave but came in specially to meet her idol.

She described how patients were moved from surrounding wards and crammed into a few rooms on Acle ward to catch a glimpse of the celebrity princess in person.

She added that although Diana must have known what they had done, she 'didn't even blink' at the over-crowding.

Eastern Daily Press: Princess Diana look-a-like opens Bird in hand pub - Beck Row - Thetford ? pic taken 3rd dec 1985 m132125-81 pic to be used in lets talk dec 2016Princess Diana look-a-like opens Bird in hand pub - Beck Row - Thetford ? pic taken 3rd dec 1985 m132125-81 pic to be used in lets talk dec 2016

Security prior to the visit was crucial. Sniffer dogs were sent round to check all the beds and Diana's personal bodyguards arrived early to double check everything was safe for her arrival.

The nurses had their uniforms checked and Mrs Hicks joked that she had to remove her silver necklace so she didn't 'show up' Diana's jewellery. They were also given a firm instruction: do not ask the Princess about her son, Prince Harry.

Mrs Hicks explained that the young prince, then only four years old, had been in hospital having a hernia operation the night before.

She was horrified when a patient broke the rule and asked how he was doing, but Princess Diana just smiled and reassured everyone that he was recovering at their Kensington home with Prince Charles.

Eastern Daily Press: Queen at RAF MarhamQueen at RAF Marham (Image: Archant)

When her time came to speak to the Princess, self-confessed chatterbox Mrs Hicks said she was 'lost for words'.

She said: 'We'd been told to do a little curtsey but I couldn't because I was stuck between a hospital bed and a wheel chair. I was shaking and completely speechless.'

Despite her nerves, Mrs Hicks was able to present Diana with a posy she had made using wild flowers picked from a friend's garden.

She added: 'You forgot she was a princess, she was so down to earth.'

Eastern Daily Press: Princess Diana gives Prince Harry a helping hand to have a closer look at the fire engine, 4 January 1988. Picture: Archant LibraryPrincess Diana gives Prince Harry a helping hand to have a closer look at the fire engine, 4 January 1988. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

After the visit Mrs Hicks and the other nurses celebrated with a big strawberry gateaux. Although she didn't realise it at the time, the story of her day spend with the Princess would still resonate with Diana fans 30 years later.

Eastern Daily Press: Royals church service - The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with Princess Margaret at Flitcham church edp 19th jan 1976 M37391-12a pic to be used in lets talk jan 2017Royals church service - The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with Princess Margaret at Flitcham church edp 19th jan 1976 M37391-12a pic to be used in lets talk jan 2017

Eastern Daily Press: ROYAL FAMILY / QUEEN ELIZABETHTHE QUEEN HOLDS THE HAND OF VISCOUNT LINLEY AND WITH PRINCE PHILLIP AT KINGS LYNN STATIONDATE; 21ST DEC 1963C1475ROYAL FAMILY / QUEEN ELIZABETHTHE QUEEN HOLDS THE HAND OF VISCOUNT LINLEY AND WITH PRINCE PHILLIP AT KINGS LYNN STATIONDATE; 21ST DEC 1963C1475 (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: George VI and Queen (now Queen mum) visit the Lad's Club, Norwich. Dated 29th October, 1938. Picture: Archant LibraryGeorge VI and Queen (now Queen mum) visit the Lad's Club, Norwich. Dated 29th October, 1938. Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant)