Kate Middleton paid an emotional visit to Princess Diana's grave with Prince William days before their wedding, media reported Thursday.

The prince held hands with his fiancée as they walked slowly to the island where Princess Diana was laid to rest.

A source told the Daily Mirror, "…even though Kate never met Diana she knows what an incredible woman she was and it is very important to her [that] she can share and understand William's love and grief for his mum."

The tomb is located on an island called The Oval, which is part of an estate belonging to the Spencer family since the 16th century. Diana's brother Charles Spencer was said to have known his nephew and Kate's visit.

The couple held hands as they laid flowers at the island tomb on the Althorp Estate.

Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 after apparently being chased into a tunnel by paparazzi on motorbikes.