Funeral of Princess Diana
Westminster, London The 6th of September 1997 AD
After a week of mourning the funeral for Princess Diana took place on Saturday September 6. More than a million people lined the route taken by the cortege as it travelled the four miles from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey . In a symbolic moment some members of the royal household watched its passage from within the precincts of Buckingham Palace .
Behind the coffin on its route walked Diana’s brother Lord Spencer, with her ex-husband Prince Charles and two sons William and Harry . Many wondered about the humanity of forcing two young children to face such an extended ordeal, the royal family seemingly intent on showing fortitude beyond that of mere mortals.
At Westminster Abbey Prince Charles for once had to listen powerlessly to criticism of his behaviour, Lord Spencer cutting in his eulogy; Elton John sang his amended version of Candle in the Wind; and an estimated 2 billion television viewers worldwide followed the day’s events.
Some found the intemperate grief displayed hard to understand, tasteless even, the vast majority of those weeping copious tears having never met Diana. She had been vibrant and beautiful, and seemingly of good heart though not averse to manipulating the media in her cause; but no saint - coincidentally and contrastingly Mother Teresa died the day before the funeral. But none could doubt the sadness of a young life lost, and the tragedy of two young sons left motherless.
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Comment
From Andree Battershell on 6th September 2013
This was the most emotional, moving day. She is so very sadly missed. I miss her not being around. She was the most elegant woman in the World. I am sure she would be very proud of William's son George, and am sure she is looking down on him. A great shame she is not here to hold him, but no doubt a very proud grandmother.
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