Naomi Watts feels as if Princess Diana has given her permission to play her in a new movie.

The 43-year-old actress stars as the late royal - who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 - and believes Diana would approve of her taking on the lead role in 'Diana', which tells of the princess' life after her divorce from Prince Charles, in particular her romance with Dr Hasnat Khan

Naomi told News Ltd: "This is a first, but I find myself dreaming about her.

"I felt like I was spending time with her. One particular time, I felt that permission was granted."

However, Naomi - who like Diana has two sons - admitted she is worried that Princes William and Harry will be hurt by the movie.

She said: " Were not trying to destroy any memory. We're trying to show her in the best possible light as a human being, though, full of different layers. It's a story that should be told. A piece of history. But it's tricky because they are here, the boys. I think about that a lot."