LONDON, July 29: Britain's new Prime Minister Tony Blair has given his wholehearted support to Princess Diana's charity work around the world and said it should continue.

Blair said in a newspaper interview he was a firm supporter of the monarchy and insisted he had never given his opinion on whether Prince Charles should marry his lover Camilla Parker Bowles.

Since her divorce from the heir to the throne, Diana has sought to carve herself a role as a `Queen of hearts' roving ambassador, supporting good causes that range from Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) charities to a campaign to eradicate landmines.

Brushing aside any criticism of her role, Blair told The Mirror in the interview appearing in today's edition: ``I think it is very important that Princess Diana is allowed to carry on the work that she is doing.''

``She earns a lot of respect and admiration from people all around the world. I am very happy for that to continue,'' he added.

Blair was careful to be even-handed in his praise for both Charles and Diana.

``She has done an immense amount for the causes she supports, as has the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), and we should be proud of the work that they do on our behalf,'' Blair said.

He firmly quashed Press reports that his new Labour Government was ready to give the go-ahead for Charles to marry Parker Bowles as long as they could win the support of the British people and the Church of England.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.