Princess Diana 'still Britain's most favourite royal'

The late Princess of Wales has been named as the one Britons would most like to have a natter with if she were alive today, ahead of her elder son Prince William and the Queen, according to the survey.

William's wife Kate Middleton secured the seventh place with just four per cent of the vote in the poll. Above her came English King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Prince Harry while Camilla, Prince Charles' wife, came last.

Diana was also the only woman in the overall Top 10 list of celebrities with whom Britons would like to talk, according to the survey.

Overall winner was comedian Stephen Fry, followed by Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp, wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill and The Beatles.

Historical figures and politicians we would like to chat included US President Barack Obama and UK's first woman Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the poll revealed.

The survey, carried out by Skype, the computer software maker which allows users to make video calls over internet, also found that England football star David Beckham was overall equal fifth with Princess Diana and top of the sports personalities list.

Men preferred sporting heroes such as boxer Muhammad Ali ahead of models and actresses, the survey found.