Princess Diana's Funeral
Princess Diana’s death was mourned by not only people of Britain and Europe but people from all over the world mourned it as if someone close to their heart has died. Princess Diana’s funeral can be called as one of the most emotional moments in the lives of people of Britain. At the time of funeral, it seemed that every Briton was on the road, paying homage to Diana and praying for her soul.
From 31st August to 6th September, it took a time of one week to prepare and make arrangements for Princess of Wales’ last journey and funeral. The people of Britain and all over the world said their farewell to the princess of hearts in an unmatched week of mourning.
Princess Diana’s Funeral – The Venue
A subdued congregation gathered at the Westminster Abbey where Princess Diana’s coffin was brought in a four mile procession. Politicians and celebrities joined the royal family for this somber and difficult time to say their goodbyes to the princess.
It is said that more than a million people were standing on the route of funeral precession to the abbey and joined Diana on her final journey to the Spenser family home in Northampton shire. The day of the funereal was a bright sunny morning, which began with Diana’s coffin being taken to the abbey from the Kensington Palace on a gun carriage. The flag of Union Jack on top of the palace was lowered to half mast for the first time ever to mourn the death of Britain’s beloved princess.
The crowd standing on the road side was deeply grieved. While some cried openly, some clapped for her but the atmosphere on the streets of London was that of melancholy and sadness. Princess Diana’s two sons, William and Harry, joined their father Charles, Prince of Wales, grandfather, Duke of Edinburgh, and their two uncles and walked behind the coffin throughout the funeral procession.
Princess Diana’s Funeral - Tributes
The funeral service itself was a very solemn affair. Diana’s both sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes read tributes to her at the funeral service while Sir John Elton, the renowned musician played his reworked version of Candle in the Wind. Diana’s brother, Lord Spenser addressed the funeral in which he called Diana the “very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty". In his address, he blamed the media for her death and said that Diana was the “most hunted person of the modern age”. In the same speech, the Lord Spenser asked the people of Britain to protect Prince William and Harry from suffering a similar fate at the hands of media. This moving speech by Lord Spenser was greeted with applause and approval.
Princess Diana’s Funeral – Burial
Princess Diana’s funeral was a quiet ceremony where only Charles, Prince of Wales, her sons, mother, siblings, a close friend and a clergyman were present. Diana was wearing a black colored, long sleeved dress that was designed by Catherine Walker. The particular dress was chosen a few weeks back by the princess before her untimely death. Along with Diana were buried a set of rosary beads in her hands, a gift that she had received from mother Teresa, an Indian social worker, whom she met frequently for her charity work. Diana is buried in Althrop Park, her family on grounds of an island.
The image of Princess Diana remains as fresh and beautiful in the minds of people today as it did when she was alive. It would not be wrong to say that the public emotions witnessed on her funeral and death were testimony to the fact that she was a ‘People’s Princess’ and will remain so! Even after so many years of her funeral, Diana remains a living memory in the heart of those she helped and cheered.
