Nicki Minaj has called Princess Diana “a dear friend” and held a minute silence for the late royal at a Birmingham concert.

Minaj, 41, performed in Birmingham over the weekend during Pink Friday 2 World Tour, where she led an impromptu moment of silence for the late Princess of Wales, who died in 1997.

After a fan told her they were from Wales, the rapper repeated: “Wales,” and switched over to a British accent.

She said: “It always reminds me of a dear friend of mine.

“Well, she’s not here anymore, but the Princess of Wales.”

As the crowd roared in response to the mention of Diana’s name, the rapper put her hands together and bowed her head, before asking fans to hold “a moment of silence for her”.

Following a few-seconds-long pause, the rapper then resumed her show.

In between songs, Minaj interacted with fans at Resorts World Arena, giving them her microphone to learn where they were from.

Though Minaj and Diana never met prior to the princess’s death, at which time Minaj was just aged 14, the rapper is a known fan.

She was featured on Ice Spice’s popular song named after the late royal, “Princess Diana”.

In the track, both artists rap: “When we come out, it looks like Princess Diana on the street.”

Elsewhere in the song, Ice Spice references the royal again, rapping: “Callin’ my phone, but they know I don’t answer / In the hood, I’m like Princess Diana”.

Meanwhile, Minaj’s verse also includes several references to both London and a “princess”.

The late royal died in 1997 following a car crash in Paris.

She was survived by her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who at the time were aged 15 and 12 respectively.

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