funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales

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Diana's coffin, draped with the royal standard with a differentiating ermine border (i.e. the Other Members' standard), had been brought to London from the Salpêtrière Hospital, via Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base, Paris, to RAF Northolt by Diana's former husband Charles, Prince of Wales, and her two sisters on 31 August 1997.{{cite news|title=Princess Diana's body comes home|url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/31/diana.8pm.update/|access-date=23 July 2013|work=CNN|date=31 August 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101446/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/31/diana.8pm.update/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}} After being taken to a private mortuary, it was placed at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, and later taken to Kensington Palace the night before the funeral.

The funeral plan for the Queen Mother, codenamed “Operation Tay Bridge”, had been rehearsed for 22 years and was used as the basis for Diana's funeral.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/what-happens-when-queen-elizabeth-dies-london-bridge|work=The Guardian|title='London Bridge is down': the secret plan for the days after the Queen's death|date=17 March 2017|access-date=10 November 2017|first=Sam|last=Knight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527080852/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/what-happens-when-queen-elizabeth-dies-london-bridge|archive-date=2019-05-27|url-status=live}} However, the event was not a state funeral; instead, it was a royal ceremonial funeral that included royal pageantry and Anglican funeral liturgy.{{cite book|first=Paul D. L.|last=Avis|title=A church drawing near: spirituality and mission in a post-Christian culture|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|year=2003}} A large display of flowers was installed at the gates of Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace. Eight members of the Welsh Guards accompanied Diana's coffin on the one-hour-forty-seven-minute ride through London streets. On top of the coffin were three wreaths of white flowers from her brother, the Earl Spencer, and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.[http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9709/06/di.wrap/ "World watches as Britain bids farewell to Diana"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101164007/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9709/06/di.wrap/ |date=2014-01-01 }}. CNN. Retrieved 8 June 2012 There was also a letter from Prince Harry on her coffin addressed to "Mummy".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/6/newsid_2502000/2502307.stm|title=1997: Diana's funeral watched by millions|date=6 September 1997 |work=BBC News|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801021548/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/6/newsid_2502000/2502307.stm|archive-date=2017-08-01|url-status=live}} The coffin bore a weight of a quarter of a tonne (250 kg / approx 550 lb) as it was lined with lead,{{Cite news |last=Duncan |first=Amy |date=2018-08-31 |title=Why was Princess Diana's coffin lined with lead? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/31/why-was-diana-princess-of-wales-coffin-lined-with-lead-7900571/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Metro |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212184618/https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/31/why-was-diana-princess-of-wales-coffin-lined-with-lead-7900571/ |url-status=live }} as is tradition with British royalty.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-11 |title=Why does the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II have a lead lining? - Technology Org |url=https://www.technology.org/2022/09/11/why-does-the-coffin-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-have-lead-lining/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=www.technology.org |language=en-US |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923122006/https://www.technology.org/2022/09/11/why-does-the-coffin-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-have-lead-lining/ |url-status=live }}

At St James's Palace, Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, her sons, and her brother joined to walk behind.{{cite news|last=MacQueen|first=Ken|title=How Diana damaged William|url=http://www.macleans.ca/2012/05/23/dianas-damage/|access-date=1 June 2013|work=MacLean's|date=23 May 2012|archive-date=29 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429055844/http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/05/23/dianas-damage/|url-status=live}} Five hundred representatives of various charities the Princess had been involved with joined behind them in the funeral cortège.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/journey.html|title=The Final Journey – The Procession|work=BBC News|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002091342/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/journey.html|archive-date=2018-10-02|url-status=live}} Alastair Campbell later revealed in his diaries that the government and the royal household feared for the security of Prince Charles, believing that he would possibly get attacked by the crowd, thus they ensured that he would be accompanied by his sons.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jan/17/alastair-campbell-diaries-diana-funeral|title=Alastair Campbell diaries: Diana's funeral prompted Charles safety fears|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Nicholas|last=Watt|date=16 January 2011|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028162316/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jan/17/alastair-campbell-diaries-diana-funeral|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jan/16/alastair-campbell-diaries-diana-gordon-brown|title=Alastair Campbell diaries: Diana's funeral and Gordon Brown's 'psychological flaws'|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Alastair|last=Campbell|date=16 January 2011|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813085416/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jan/16/alastair-campbell-diaries-diana-gordon-brown|url-status=live}} Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, initially opposed the idea of William and Harry taking part in the funeral procession, but ultimately decided to walk besides them, telling his grandsons "I'll walk if you walk."{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/princes-william-harry-walk-prince-philips-coffin-20/story?id=77084646|title=Princes William, Harry walk together at Prince Philip's funeral|work=ABC News|first=Katie|last=Kindelan|date=17 April 2021|accessdate=27 August 2022|archive-date=27 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827170505/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/princes-william-harry-walk-prince-philips-coffin-20/story?id=77084646|url-status=live}} William later described the experience as "one of the hardest things I've ever done", and Harry mentioned no child "should be asked to do" what they did. Nevertheless, William saw the act as a necessity to maintain "balance between duty and family" and Harry said that he was "very glad" that he took part in the procession.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41017659|title=Prince Harry 'very glad' to walk behind Diana's coffin|work=BBC News|date=23 August 2017|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324010058/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41017659|url-status=live}} In his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry claimed that the idea of having the boys walk behind their mother's coffin horrified several adults, in particular their uncle Lord Spencer who described it as "a barbarity."{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/07/prince-harry-reveals-row-broke-dianas-funeral-cortege/|title=Prince Harry reveals 'row' broke out over Diana's funeral cortege|work=The Telegraph|first1=Patrick|last1=Sawer|first2=Victoria|last2=Ward|date=7 January 2023|accessdate=8 January 2023|url-access=subscription|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107231239/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/01/07/prince-harry-reveals-row-broke-dianas-funeral-cortege/|url-status=live}} Spencer has previously stated that he felt he was lied to about the boys' desire to do the task. Harry also claimed that there were suggestions that William should walk behind the coffin alone, but Harry refused to allow it as had the roles been reversed William would have done the same.

The coffin then passed Buckingham Palace where members of the royal family were waiting outside. Queen Elizabeth II bowed her head as it went by.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/procession.html "The Last Journey Begins"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012220129/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/procession.html |date=2016-10-12 }}. BBC. Retrieved 8 June 2012 More than one million people lined the streets of London, and flowers rained down onto the cortège from bystanders.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/diana-19611997-the-cortege--a-flowerstrewn-path-leading-to-the-abbey-1237781.html "Diana 1961–1997: The Cortege – A flower-strewn path leading to the Abbey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925082335/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/diana-19611997-the-cortege--a-flowerstrewn-path-leading-to-the-abbey-1237781.html |date=2015-09-25 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 8 June 2012[http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/diana_one_year_on/sights_and_sounds/the_funeral/default.stm "Diana: Sights and Sounds – The Funeral"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214001752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/diana_one_year_on/sights_and_sounds/the_funeral/default.stm |date=2012-02-14 }}. BBC. Retrieved 8 June 2012{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/scene.html|title=Crowds Say Final Farewell to Diana|work=BBC News|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106003151/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/scene.html|archive-date=2018-11-06|url-status=live}} Two screens were erected to relay the Westminster Abbey service in Hyde Park.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/31/death-of-diana-the-week-that-rocked-britain|title=The death of Princess Diana: a week that rocked Britain|work=The Guardian|date=31 August 2017|accessdate=17 April 2021|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404130829/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/31/death-of-diana-the-week-that-rocked-britain|url-status=live}}

File:Westminster_abbey_west.jpg, venue of the funeral]]

The ceremony at Westminster Abbey opened at 11:00 BST and lasted one hour and ten minutes. The royal family placed wreaths alongside Diana's coffin in the presence of Britain's living former prime ministers – John Major, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan and Edward Heath – and former Conservative MP Winston Churchill, the grandson of World War II-era Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/diana/timeline/augsept97/6.html|title=Special Report: Princess Diana, 1961–1997|magazine=Time|date=6 September 1997|access-date=14 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914205926/http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/diana/timeline/augsept97/6.html|archive-date=14 September 2000}} British personalities who attended included Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John, George Michael, Chris de Burgh, Michael Barrymore, Richard Branson, and Richard Attenborough; international guests included US First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, William J. Crowe, French First Lady Bernadette Chirac, Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak, Queen Noor of Jordan, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Mariah Carey, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Ruby Wax, Imran Khan and his then wife, Jemima Goldsmith.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/09/06/Celebrities-attend-Diana-funeral/7084873518400/|title=Celebrities attend Diana funeral|work=United Press International|date=6 September 1997|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115075736/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/09/06/Celebrities-attend-Diana-funeral/7084873518400/|archive-date=2019-01-15|url-status=live}} The prime minister, Tony Blair, read an excerpt from First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 13: "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love".{{cite book|first=Brian|last=MacArthur|title=Requiem: Diana, Princess of Wales 1961–1997 – Memories and Tributes|publisher=Arcade Publishing|year=1998|page=165}} Among other invitees were the King of Spain, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan, the deposed King Constantine II of Greece, and South African president Nelson Mandela.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/tickets0905.htm|title=A Hot Ticket for a Sad Occasion|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Roxanne|last=Roberts|date=5 September 1997|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910052112/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/tickets0905.htm|archive-date=2017-09-10|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}

The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, and the Dean of Westminster, Wesley Carr, were also present in the abbey and delivered the bidding, the prayers, and the commendation. The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and conducted by Organist and Master of the Choristers, Martin Neary; the organist was Martin Baker. Music before the service included the hymn tune "Eventide", "Adagio in E", the hymn tune "Rhosymedre", Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639, "Fantasia in C minor, BWV 537", "Adagio in G minor", "Symphony No. 9", Pachelbel's Canon (which was misidentified by the commentator as "Albinoni's Adagio"), and Variation IX (Adagio) "Nimrod". The Anglican service opened with the traditional singing of "God Save the Queen". The funeral started with the choir singing the Funeral Sentences, composed by William Croft and Henry Purcell. Pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonín Dvořák, Camille Saint-Saëns, Gustav Holst, and other composers were played throughout the ceremony.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/order.html|title=The Funeral Service of Diana, Princess Wales: Order of Service|work=BBC News|date=6 September 1997|access-date=2018-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926132845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/order.html|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/diana-princess-of-wales-funeral-music/|title=Which hymns were sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales?|work=classical music|date=20 March 2021 |access-date=2021-09-15|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303004701/https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/diana-princess-of-wales-funeral-music/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/5174/princess-diana-funeral-1997.pdf|title=Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales|work=Westminster Abbey|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-date=23 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823044945/https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/5174/princess-diana-funeral-1997.pdf|url-status=dead}} The hymns were I Vow to Thee, My Country, by Sir Cecil Spring Rice to the tune by Gustav Holst; The King of Love My Shepherd Is by Henry Baker to the tune Dominus Regit Me by John Bacchus Dykes; Make Me a Channel of Your Peace to the tune by Sebastian Temple and Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, by William Williams to the tune Cwm Rhondda by John Hughes. The chant Libera me was sung by the BBC Singers, together with Lynne Dawson, to the tune by Giuseppe Verdi.

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| quote = I thought it was very important to project it from a nation's standpoint. I wanted to make it sound like a country singing it. From the first couple of lines I wrote [which began "Goodbye England's Rose"], the rest sort of fell into place

| source = Bernie Taupin on writing the lyrics for "Candle in the Wind 1997"{{cite book|title=The songwriters idea book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWm2iDGGsAIC&q=taupin+candle+in+the+wind+1997&pg=PA103|page=103|isbn=9780898795196|quote=I thought it was very important to project it from a nation's standpoint. I wanted to make it sound like a country singing it. From the first couple of lines i wrote [which began "Goodbye England's Rose"], the rest sort of fell into place.|access-date=2016-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420024622/https://books.google.com/books?id=aWm2iDGGsAIC&pg=PA103&dq=taupin+candle+in+the+wind+1997&hl=en&ei=02IWTZ-2Cc6GhQeWmt23Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=taupin%20candle%20in%20the%20wind%201997&f=false|archive-date=2017-04-20|url-status=live|last1=Davis|first1=Sheila|date=15 October 1992|publisher=F+W Media}}

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During the service, Elton John sang a 1997 rendition of "Candle in the Wind", with new lyrics written as a tribute to Diana.Barry Miles (2008). [https://books.google.com/books?id=-oBzTaoZciEC&dq=candle+in+the+wind+george+martin&pg=PA207 "Massive Music Moments"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710071427/http://books.google.com/books?id=-oBzTaoZciEC&pg=PA207&dq=candle+in+the+wind+george+martin&hl=en&ei=EnsWTe-LGYq7hAeS4vi2Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=candle%20in%20the%20wind%20george%20martin&f=false |date=2014-07-10 }} p. 207. Anova Books, 2008 He had contacted his writing partner Bernie Taupin, asking him to revise the lyrics of his 1973 Marilyn Monroe tribute song "Candle in the Wind" to honour Diana, and Taupin rewrote the song accordingly. Only a month before Diana's death she had been photographed comforting John at the funeral of their mutual friend Gianni Versace at Milan Cathedral.[https://books.google.com/books?id=w2MEAAAAMBAJ&dq=elton+john+considered+not+going+to+diana+funeral&pg=PT25 The Advocate 14 Oct 1997] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419214320/https://books.google.com/books?id=w2MEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT25&dq=elton+john+considered+not+going+to+diana+funeral&hl=en&ei=SXAWTczOMtObhQfwlZy3Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAg |date=2017-04-19 }} Retrieved 25 December 2010Fred Bronson The Billboard book of number one hits p. 860. Billboard Books, 1997 Files released by The National Archives showed that the Dean of Westminster, Wesley Carr, had personally appealed to senior aides at the palace to secure John's performance at the funeral, insisting on the "inclusion of something of the modern world that the princess represented".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59822189|title=Princess Diana: Files reveal plea for Elton John to perform at funeral|work=BBC News|first=Sanchia|last=Berg|date=29 December 2021|accessdate=30 December 2021|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104000834/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59822189|url-status=live}} A solo performance by a saxophonist had been considered as a second option.

Diana's sister Sarah gave the first reading, a poem titled Turn Again To Life by Mary Lee Hall, and her other sister Jane gave the second reading, a poem titled Time Is taken from Music and Other Poems by Henry van Dyke Jr. Her brother Charles gave the eulogy, in which he rebuked both the royal family and the press for their treatment of his sister.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/spencer.html|title=Diana's Brother Pledges to Protect Royal Princes|work=BBC News|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416035021/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/spencer.html|archive-date=2017-04-16|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Prince William's uncle Earl Spencer set to wed|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12468192|access-date=27 May 2013|work=BBC News|date=15 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130012403/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12468192|archive-date=2017-11-30|url-status=live}} "It is a point to remember that of all the ironies about Diana, perhaps the greatest was this – a girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age," Spencer said during his speech.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/spencerfull.html|title=Full text of Earl Spencer's Funeral Oration|work=BBC News|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529053037/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/spencerfull.html|archive-date=2017-05-29|url-status=live}}

"Song for Athene" by British composer John Tavener, with text by Mother Thekla, a Greek Orthodox nun, drawn from the Orthodox liturgy and Shakespeare's Hamlet, was sung as Diana's cortège departed from the main nave of Westminster Abbey. This was followed after a one-minute silence by half-muffled change ringing on the abbey's ten bells.

{{See also|Althorp#Diana grave, memorial, and exhibition}}

File:Princess Diana's Island, Althorp - geograph.org.uk - 50660.jpg; the house is at top right. Diana is buried on the small tree-covered island in the middle of the ornamental Round Oval lake.]]

The burial occurred privately later the same day. Diana's former husband, sons, mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman were present. Diana's body was clothed in a black long-sleeved, three-quarter length woollen cocktail dress designed by Catherine Walker which she had chosen some weeks before, a pair of black pantyhose, and a pair of black shoes. A set of rosary beads was placed in her hands, a gift she had received from Mother Teresa, who died the same week as Diana. In her hands there was also a photograph of her sons, which travelled around with her and had been found in her handbag.{{Cite book|title=Diana, Her True Story|last=Morton|first=Andrew|authorlink=Andrew Morton (writer)|location=New York|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=1997}} Her grave is on an island ({{Coord|52.283082|-1.000278|region:GB_type:landmark}}) within the grounds of Althorp Park, the Spencer family home for centuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/diana/althorp.html|title=Diana Returns Home|work=BBC News|access-date=13 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202150815/http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/diana/althorp.html|archive-date=2010-12-02|url-status=live}} The ground was consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough prior to the burial.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/diana-1961-1997-journeys-end-at-peace-at-last-diana-comes-home-1237783.html|title=Diana 1961-1997: Journey's end - At peace, at last, Diana comes home|first=Charles|last=Arthur|work=The Independent|date=6 September 1997|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217194136/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/diana-1961-1997-journeys-end-at-peace-at-last-diana-comes-home-1237783.html|archive-date=2017-12-17|url-status=live}}

At the ceremony, the Royal Standard which had covered the coffin was removed. Paul Burrell, Diana's former butler, claimed that the standard had been removed by Diana's brother moments before she was buried, and replaced with the Spencer family flag. He claimed the Earl said that "She (Diana) is a Spencer now." Burrell also condemned the move, telling the Daily Mirror that "It had more to do with his Spencer v Windsor war than doing what Diana would have wanted. It was inappropriate and disrespectful. I knew it was not what Diana would have wanted. With that act, her brother was depriving the Princess of her proper status in life – a status of which she was proud." Lord Spencer called Burrell's comments "hurtful lies" and said in a statement: "The Queen's standard was removed as part of the ceremony by her own officer in a dignified and pre-agreed manner".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2418845.stm|title=Earl disputes butler 'lies'|work=BBC News|date=8 November 2002|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318121436/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2418845.stm|archive-date=2018-03-18|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/earl-disputes-burrells-story-of-princesss-funeral-flag-db53f9lc63t|title=Earl disputes Burrell's story of Princess's funeral flag|work=The Times|first=Ian|last=Cobain|date=9 November 2002|access-date=17 March 2018|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120605/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/earl-disputes-burrells-story-of-princesss-funeral-flag-db53f9lc63t|archive-date=2018-03-18|url-status=live}}

The original plan was for Diana to be buried in the Spencer family vault at the local St Mary’s Church in nearby Great Brington, but Lord Spencer said that he was concerned about public safety and security and the onslaught of visitors that might overwhelm Great Brington. He decided that Diana would be buried where her grave could be easily cared for and visited in privacy by William, Harry, and other Spencer relatives.

The island is in an ornamental lake known as The Round Oval within Althorp Park's gardens.{{cite news|title=Top 10 Celebrity Grave Sites|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1919236_1919237_1920165,00.html|access-date=1 June 2013|newspaper=Time|date=3 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826142755/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1919236_1919237_1920165,00.html|archive-date=2013-08-26|url-status=dead}} A path with thirty-six oak trees, marking each year of her life, leads to the Oval. Four black swans swim in the lake. In the water there are water lilies, which, in addition to white roses, were Diana's favourite flowers. On the southern verge of the Round Oval sits the Summerhouse, previously in the gardens of Admiralty House, London, and now adapted to serve as a memorial to Diana.{{cite news|url=http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/northants/houses/Althorp.htm|title=Althorp Park, Home of Princess Diana|newspaper=Britain Express|access-date=13 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220183845/http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/northants/houses/Althorp.htm|archive-date=2017-12-20|url-status=live}} An ancient arboretum stands nearby, which contains trees planted by the family.{{cite news|title=Burial site offers princess a privacy elusive in life|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=doAfAAAAIBAJ&pg=6658,1380599&dq=burial+of+princess+diana&hl=en|access-date=1 June 2013|newspaper=Sarasota Herald Tribune|date=6 September 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222001535/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=doAfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kH0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6658,1380599&dq=burial+of+princess+diana&hl=en|archive-date=2017-02-22|url-status=live}} The Spencer family's decision to bury the Princess in this secluded – and private – location has enabled them to visit her grave in private.{{cite web|title=Visiting Althorp|url=http://www.spencerofalthorp.com/visit|access-date=26 September 2015|work=Althorp Estate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701110302/http://spencerofalthorp.com/visit/|archive-date=2018-07-01|url-status=live}}

The burial party was provided by the 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires), who were given the honour of carrying the Princess across to the island and laying her to rest. Diana was the Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief from 1992 to 1996.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/5871774/Diana-Princess-of-Wales.html|title=Diana, Princess of Wales|date=31 August 1997|access-date=25 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004230546/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/5871774/Diana-Princess-of-Wales.html|archive-date=4 October 2015}}

On the same day, services of commemoration and events honouring the Princess were held in various cities and towns across the United Kingdom and many streets remained deserted with the population watching the funeral broadcast at their homes.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/region.html|title=Nation Falls Silent for Final Tribute|work=BBC News|accessdate=17 April 2021|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417213928/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/region.html|url-status=live}} In Manchester the national minute's silence started with "a maroon flare fired by mortar from the roof of the Victorian Town Hall" and ended "by the pealing of a single muffled bell". People gathered in the Albert Square and visited the Town Hall to sign the book of condolences. The Lord Mayor, Gerry Carroll, laid a bouquet as a tribute to the Princess on behalf of the city. In Bolton a memorial service was held with leaders from all churches in attendance, followed by another memorial service in Blackburn Cathedral. In Liverpool people came together at the Parish Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas to pay their respects. In Scotland, the funeral was broadcast to mourners on screens set up at the Ross Theatre in Edinburgh. A memorial service was held in Diana's honour, at which the Queen's chaplain in Scotland, Charles Robertson, officiated. In Derry, the mayor and deputy mayor laid a wreath at the city Cenotaph. Large crowds showed up in the streets of Cardiff to watch the funeral on screens. A service was held at Llandaff Cathedral, attended by 700 guests, including the Secretary of State for Wales Ron Davies, Cardiff's Lord Mayor Max Phillips, as well as MPs and volunteers from Diana's charities. Toll booths on Severn Bridges remained closed during the national minute's silence. On Sunday, 7 September, an additional service for Diana was held at Westminster Abbey in response to popular demand.{{cite journal|last=Evans|first=Margaret|title=The Diana Phenomenon: Reaction in the East Midlands|journal=Folklore|year=1998|volume=109|issue=1–2|pages=101–103|doi=10.1080/0015587X.1998.9715967}}

The Irish national flag was also flown at half-mast on all state buildings on the day of Diana's funeral.{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40268162.html |title=Tricolour at half mast on all State buildings for Prince Philip |date=17 April 2021 |work=Irish Examiner |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416205630/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40268162.html |url-status=live }} On the same day, a memorial service was held at Washington National Cathedral and was attended by 2,170 people including the British ambassador John Kerr, the US ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, and chairman of The Washington Post Co. executive committee Katharine Graham.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/cathedral.htm|title=Washington Says Goodbye to Diana|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Retha|last=Hill|date=6 September 1997|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708222454/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/cathedral.htm|archive-date=2018-07-08|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} In Tonga, a group of mourners organised a traditional wake, or pongipongi, after the funeral.

David Dimbleby presented the funeral on the BBC, while Trevor McDonald fronted the ITN coverage, and was joined by a team of correspondents including John Suchet and Julia Somerville.{{cite news|title=Biggest television event in history|first=Paul|last=McCann|newspaper=The Independent|date=4 September 1997|page=6}}

Dimbleby began to follow the footsteps of his father, Richard, in leading the BBC during their coverage of big television events and state occasions.{{cite news|title=United by the screen|last=Purnell|first=Tony|newspaper=The Mirror|date=6 September 1997|page=7|quote=Richard Dimbleby used to set the scene for all the big TV occasions...Today his son David will anchor the BBC coverage.}} By coincidence, the elder Dimbleby presented the previous great state occasion, the state funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965.{{cite news|title=Dimbleby is likely to lead BBC coverage|first=Paul|last=McCann|newspaper=The Independent|date=2 September 1997|page=3|quote=David Dimbleby looks set to follow in his late father's footsteps by leading BBC coverage of the funeral...of Diana, Princess of Wales...the biggest broadcasting event since Winston Churchill's state funeral in 1965, the last great occasion of state covered for the BBC by Richard Dimbleby.}}

The world-wide television audience for the event has been estimated between 2 and 2.5 billion people,{{cite web |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/some-2-5-billion-tv-viewers-watch-princess-dianas-funeral |title=Some 2.5 billion TV viewers watch Princess Diana's funeral |author= |date=21 February 2019 |work=History |publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524174445/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/some-2-5-billion-tv-viewers-watch-princess-dianas-funeral |archive-date=2019-05-24 |url-status=live }} In the United Kingdom, the funeral was watched by 31 million, making it one of the most watched live broadcasts to date (second only to the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final).{{cite news |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/princess-dianas-funeral-is-most-watched-live-tv-event/ |title=Princess Diana's funeral is most-watched live TV event |last=Jones |first=Ian |date=6 September 2017 |work=The Sunday Post - DC Thomson Co Ltd |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524174446/https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/princess-dianas-funeral-is-most-watched-live-tv-event/ |archive-date=2019-05-24 |url-status=live }}

In North America, which is five to nine hours behind British Summer Time, the funeral occurred during the time usually taken up by network breakfast television programmes, but the networks in the United States and Canada sent their top presenters. The funeral took place in the early morning hours of a Saturday, a time that the networks air cartoons, but nevertheless, the main networks in the United States (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) and Canada (CBC, CTV, and Global) broadcast the funeral.{{cite news|title=TV views loyal to classy Canadian coverage of Di funeral|last=McKay|first=John|agency=Canadian Press|date=9 September 1997}} The funeral attracted 33.2 million viewers in United States.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-wedding-usa-idUSTRE7400DC20110501 | title=Diana funeral topped royal wedding in U.S. Ratings | newspaper=Reuters | date=May 2011 | access-date=30 March 2023 | archive-date=30 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330131645/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-wedding-usa-idUSTRE7400DC20110501 | url-status=live }}

In Australia, which is eight to eleven hours ahead of British Summer Time, the funeral took place on a Saturday night their time, which meant Australians were at home watching television.{{cite news|title=Diana's Funeral Spreads Sombre Mood Over Saturday Night|date=7 September 1997|first=Denis|last=Peters|agency=Australian Associated Press|quote=With the four major Australian television networks running live coverage of the funeral of Diana, the Princess of Wales, a sombre mood spread over the normally festive Saturday night across the country. Channel Nine claimed victory in the ratings...attracted a national audience of 1,647,000 viewers.}} All four television networks (ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, and Network 10) carried coverage of the funeral,{{cite news|title=Millions of Australians Tune in to Say Goodbye|last=Oliver|first=Robin|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 September 1997|page=4}} with Nine Network having the highest ratings, with 1.65 million viewers.

BBC Radio broadcast the funeral in 44 languages around the world.{{cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=William J.|first2=Michael D.|last2=Basil |author3=Mihai C. Bocarnea |title=Social Influence of an International Celebrity: Responses to the Death of Princess Diana|journal=Journal of Communication|date=December 2003|volume=53|issue=4|pages=587–605|doi=10.1111/j.1460-2466.2003.tb02912.x}}

{{Portal|London|1990s}}

• Concert for Diana
• List of largest funerals{{Clear}}

{{Reflist|33em}}

• {{cite journal|first=Nigel|last=Dacre|title=The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales|journal=Court Historian|volume=8|number=1|year=2003|pages=85–90|doi=10.1179/cou.2003.8.1.008 |s2cid=160379004 }}
• {{cite book|first1=Adrian|last1=Kear|first2=Deborah Lynn|last2=Steinberg|title=Mourning Diana: nation, culture, and the performance of grief|publisher=Routledge|year=1999}}
• {{cite book|first=Tony|last=Walter|title=The mourning for Diana|publisher=Berg Publishers|year=1999}}
• {{cite book|first=Matthias|last=Range|title=British Royal and State Funerals|publisher=Boydell Press|year=2016}}

• [https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/5174/princess-diana-funeral-1997.pdf Order of Service for the funeral] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823044945/https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/5174/princess-diana-funeral-1997.pdf |date=23 August 2021 }}
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/indfun.html Farewell to Diana - BBC]
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/order.html The Funeral Service of Diana, Princess Wales - BBC]
• [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/diana/stories/services.htm Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales - The Washington Post]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/aug/31/monarchy Order of Service for the 2007 thanksgiving service]

{{State funerals in the United Kingdom}}

{{Diana, Princess of Wales}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Diana, Princess of Wales, Funeral of}}

Funeral

Category:1997 in London

Category:1990s in the City of Westminster

Category:1990s in Northamptonshire

Category:Ceremonial funerals in the United Kingdom

Diana

Category:History of Northamptonshire

Category:September 1997 in the United Kingdom

Category:Westminster Abbey