Last Hours, Death, Transfer from France, Funeral and Interment

[Mermaid1962]

The Hymn "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" always takes me back to Charles and Diana's wedding, as does "I Vow to Thee My Country." The second hymn is one that's not sung in churches I go to, but the former one is occasionally. My memories of the wedding are much more vivid than the ones of Diana's funeral.

I do think of Diana when I hear it. It's funny how me can at times relate certain songs with people, even if we never knew them personally.

 

[georgiea]

The Hymn "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" always takes me back to Charles and Diana's wedding, as does "I Vow to Thee My Country." The second hymn is one that's not sung in churches I go to, but the former one is occasionally. My memories of the wedding are much more vivid than the ones of Diana's funeral.

Unfortunately my memories of Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral is more vivid because I think of the shock.

 

[Mermaid1962]

That could be, georgiea. I was about the same age as Diana, and so perhaps that's why the wedding impressed itself on me so much. I was caught up in all the romance and apparent joy. By the time that Diana died, "the bloom was off the rose", so to speak. Her death was a surprise to me, but not a huge shock. I didn't experience the grief that many did--although it was a sad event.

Unfortunately my memories of Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral is more vivid because I think of the shock.

 

[georgiea]

That could be, georgiea. I was about the same age as Diana, and so perhaps that's why the wedding impressed itself on me so much. I was caught up in all the romance and apparent joy. By the time that Diana died, "the bloom was off the rose", so to speak. Her death was a surprise to me, but not a huge shock. I didn't experience the grief that many did--although it was a sad event.

In 1981 I was a little older than Princess Diana, but I married two weeks later. I thought it was a fairy tale until 1992. Her death shocked me and I did grief for a woman who was just getting her life together.

The three scenes that I remember from the funeral:
1) All the flowers outside KP
2) Her boys, ex husband and ex father-in-law walking behind the coffin
3) The hearse using it window wipers to knock off flowers that were throw at it when it past crowds of people.

 

[Mermaid1962]

I remember a voice yelling, "Diana" as the hearse went by. That was probably very hard on her family. And I have a clear memory of her hearse going through the gates at Althorp.

 

[Daria_S]

I remember a voice yelling, "Diana" as the hearse went by. That was probably very hard on her family. And I have a clear memory of her hearse going through the gates at Althorp.

I remember that, as well as the flowers outside of Kensington and Buckingham Palaces. Of course watching her sons walking behind her coffin was heart-wrenching (along with seeing the card on top of the flowers that had 'Mummy' written on the envelope, I believe in Harry's handwriting).

What also stuck in my memory, is seeing William the day before the funeral accepting flowers from a mourner, and saying 'thank you'. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult all that was for him. Losing a parent is devastating for anyone, young or old, but losing one's parent and having the entire world watch as you grieve for that parent is beyond overwhelming. I remember thinking that he was a very strong individual for being able to go through all those ordeals, with the entire world watching, nonetheless.

 

[Duchessmary]

I agree. I believe those two young princes grew up overnight when they lost their mother. I remember watching the funeral, and choking up when I saw the card with the handwritten "Mummy". Diana was a lot of things to many people, but she was a devoted mother first and foremost.

 

[Chris77]

I agree. I believe those two young princes grew up overnight when they lost their mother. I remember watching the funeral, and choking up when I saw the card with the handwritten "Mummy". Diana was a lot of things to many people, but she was a devoted mother first and foremost.

I couldn't have said it better. She was truly a classy and educated woman. I remember seeing her funeral on TV and thought it such a shame that such a phenomenal woman was taken from this world. A truly beautiful soul.

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, William was unbelievably gracious given his grief and shock.

What also stuck in my memory, is seeing William the day before the funeral accepting flowers from a mourner, and saying 'thank you'. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult all that was for him.

 

[DianaLP]

Have you read that article by someone with the last name Grant, who claims he spoke with an x police officer who was a security guard at and around the chapel where Diana's ancestors are buried...They prior to or just after Diana was buried, had what they thought was a break in at the vault...on investigation it was military guards at the slab to the vault...and later it was noted it had been removed and placed back, because of notable wet cement? Maybe Diana is indeed buried long side her dad....
Althorp is a beautiful place though...day i was there was a wicked thunderstorm....I had just gone thru the part where i think there was rose petals...and other sad stuff...The lights started to flicker...but later i think a rainbow...
I guess more would be known by now, if things were different...
Then again seems some things are kept a great secret...I never heard till recent,
Harry had Diana's engagement ring...or William her watch, cause she had used it to teach him how to tell time....super awesome, super touching!

 

[wa3kittiees]

*************************************************
On a different subject ... about Diana's death
I have never understood why it was important that they flee from the photographers that night.
It was known that Diana and Dodi were spending time together; there were already photos of them together.
While I do think Diana and Dodi had a right to privacy, I never understood why they just didn't leave, maybe pause for a few photos, and go on their way. Perhaps the accident would not have occured.
I just have never understood the need to flee. Does anyone have thoughts or explanation? thanks

 

[MRSJ]

Having a drunk driver couldn't have helped matters.....

 

[Zonk]

Off topic posts about Charles and Camilla's wedding as well as the role of William and Harry have been deleted.

We will not be rehashing the Charles/Diana/Camilla triangle in this thread.

Zonk
British Forums Moderator

 

[Iluvbertie]

That is one question that has never been satisfactorily answered as the two people concerned with making that decision both died.

I suspect that it was Dodi wanting to big-note himself and how well he, and his father, could protect her but... with the driver being drunk and signalling the paparazzi at the back door it was going to be a chase.

Had they simply walked out the front door, waved and gone on their way - or rang for a police escort - the accident would never have happened.

 

[Mermaid1962]

Exactly. Did it ever even occur to them to ask for a police escort? Perhaps Diana was in an "Okay...Whatever," sort of mood and was going with the flow that was set by Dodi and his father.

Had they simply walked out the front door, waved and gone on their way - or rang for a police escort - the accident would never have happened.

 

[Jaya]

I doubt that if Diana was there as a private citizen she could have had a police escort making her visit official in some capacity. Diana is to blame for allowing herself to get swept up in the nasty game with the press. I do not believe that her driver was drunk at all. The paparazzi could have been avoided via helicopter .Had they walked out the frontdoor pandemonium could have broken with a bigger chase on hand. which they had already suspected.

This travelling across land via auto was not working in any capacity and anything we say now is speculation. Helicopter may have worked- but may not- was a good solution however- but who was thinking outside the box? Wish they had come outside the front door- what a relief that would have been.! makes sense

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, she was there as a private citizen. Even without her HRH, though, she was still Diana Princess of Wales and the mother of the future king of the UK. I think that the police department would have provided a couple of cars or motorcycles to escort her had they known the situation.

I doubt that if Diana was there as a private citizen she could have had a police escort making her visit official in some capacity.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Diana could have asked for a police escort as she was a major public figure even if on a private visit. Had she contacted the British embassy or the Paris police they would have given her proper protection and a police escort and kept the paparazzi at bay. She had made the decision to give up that protection and it cost her her life and robbed her sons of their mother.

Had they gone outside and waved at the paparazzi there would have been no need for a chase. The chase was on because they wouldn't play ball with the press and Diana was the expert at that - a little tease here and there and then give them what they want. They expected much the same that night and when she didn't do what they expected they chased her expecting the teasing photo at the other end of the trip.

As for the driver - he was drunk - he had consumed quite a deal of alcohol - there is a lot of testimony on that point at the various inquiries and inquests.

A heavy drinker won't always look drunk because their system will absorb it a lot better than a light drinker but that doesn't mean that they aren't drunk.

An example from my own life: my brother is a heavy drinker while I have maybe one or two a month. On the night my mother died my father, brother and I went out to her favourite restaurant for dinner. We had two bottles of red wine and half a dozen bottles of beer between us. I had two glasses of wine while my father and brother shared the rest of the wine and my brother had all the beer. Now it would be clear to anyone who knows anything about drinking that both my father and brother would have been legally drunk. However, anyone not knowing what we had just consumed, on seeing us exit the restaurant would assume that I was the one who had done the drinking as I was the one who appeared typsy - I was the one who drove home because I wasn't drunk but my brother was able to carry a conversation, walk a straight line and do all sorts of things I couldn't do but he was legally drunk - like Diana's driver.

 

[MRSJ]

I do not believe that her driver was drunk at all. The paparazzi could have been avoided via helicopter .

I believe it's been more then proven in a court of law the driver was drunk....

So are you suggesting she was a private citizen on a private visit but rent a helicopter? Bit over the top huh?

 

[Iluvbertie]

Yes, she was there as a private citizen. Even without her HRH, though, she was still Diana Princess of Wales and the mother of the future king of the UK. I think that the police department would have provided a couple of cars or motorcycles to escort her had they known the situation.

Most definitely.

Any prominent person, even on a private visit can ask for police assistance (well any person) but given who she was a simple request - like 'help - we need to get from here to there and the paparazzi won't leave us alone' would have very simply seen assistance given - a police presence at the hotel to keep the paparrazzi in check, a motorcycle or two to keep the paparazzi from getting too close etc.

 

[Thena]

Something that has always irritated me is that they were at a hotel. Why couldn't they have just stayed put for the night instead of insisting on going to Dodi's apartment with the paparazzi chasing after them?

 

[Iluvbertie]

Couldn't agree more - they were at one hotel owned by Dodi's father and insisted on travelling to another hotel owned by Dodi's father, in a car owned by Dodi's father, under the security of Dodi's father and he blamed everyone except himself.

I never understood why they had to leave the first hotel when they had dinner in a hotel room in another hotel.
If Dodi really was after getting a ring for her why traipse her all across town for that purpose.

To me it simply smells of Al Fayad's overestimating their ability to do things right.

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes; and while Diana's family members and all but one of Dodi's family members have privately suffered great grief, the man indirectly responsible for their deaths acts like his pain was the worst and can't take any responsibility.

 

[georgiea]

Something that has always irritated me is that they were at a hotel. Why couldn't they have just stayed put for the night instead of insisting on going to Dodi's apartment with the paparazzi chasing after them?

Why does it irritate you? I would think it would bother you instead.

I think they wanted to get back to Dodi apartment because the next day they had flights to catch and to pack. Also Dodi had a surprise for the Princess at the apartment.

I think I would have wanted to go to the apartment even if the paparazzi was there because it was s short drive.

 

[georgiea]

I never understood why they had to leave the first hotel when they had dinner in a hotel room in another hotel.

The first place was Dodi's apartment. They decided to go out to eat at a restaurant and left there because of to much attention. Went to the Ritz for dinner, but again to much attention so they ate in a hotel room.

 

[1222]

I always in the back of mind thought ,that Dodi loved the attention he got from being with Diana.I will always wonder if Dodi thought that the press chasing them would get more media attention for him.

 

[georgiea]

I always in the back of mind thought ,that Dodi loved the attention he got from being with Diana.I will always wonder if Dodi thought that the press chasing them would get more media attention for him.

He did. But from what I read Diana, Princess of Wales was very upset from the press intrusion and I belief Dodi was too that night.

 

[1222]

He did. But from what I read Diana, Princess of Wales was very upset from the press intrusion and I belief Dodi was too that night.

Then why did Dodi leave that hotel like he did ? Why not stay put for the night?

 

[georgiea]

Then why did Dodi leave that hotel like he did ? Why not stay put for the night?

The only reason I can think is their belongings were at Dodi's apartment and they were leaving in the morning on flights. I don't think they thought they would be hurt in a short trip from the Ritz.

 

[fandesacs2003]

Something that has always irritated me is that they were at a hotel. Why couldn't they have just stayed put for the night instead of insisting on going to Dodi's apartment with the paparazzi chasing after them?

YES, you are right. If you think, this tragic event happened for a very stupid reason!!!!

Pcs Diana could have stayed at the Ritz, and in order to "save" the appearances, Dodi could sleep alone home and send the Diana's luggage with a driver to the Ritz. NOTHING of the tragedy would happen. It was SOOOO easy to aviod.