The Where and When of Princess Diana's Funeral

When and where the funeral of Princess Diana, the iconic Princess Diana, took place were the primary questions on everyone's mind during that tragic time. The Westminster Abbey in London was the chosen venue, as announced by the Standard newspaper.

Funeral Details

The funeral of Princess Diana began on September 6, 1997. The event kicked off at 9:08am in London when the tenor bell of Westminster Abbey started chiming. This signaled the departure of Princess Diana's funeral cortège from Kensington Palace, where her body had been kept for five days. The funeral cortège, consisting of a gun carriage, was carried by riders from the King's Troop and escorted by mounted police as they traveled along Hyde Park to St James' Palace. The British flag, the Union Jack, was displayed at half-mast.

Princess Diana's coffin, draped with the Royal Standard featuring an ermine border, was a poignant representation. Three wreaths of white flowers were placed on top of her coffin, sourced from her brother, the Earl Spencer, her sons, Prince William, and Prince Harry, with a letter from Prince Harry also included. Other notable attendees included the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, her sons, and her brother. The coffin was also adorned with a rosary her late mother had given her, along with a photograph of her sons that she kept with her.

Official Ceremony and Burial

The official ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey, where over 2,000 people attended. The event gained massive traction, with the British television audience peaking at 32.10 million, one of the highest viewing figures in the United Kingdom. An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide watched the ceremony, making it one of the most widely telecast events in history. The ceremony lasted one hour and ten minutes, commencing at 11:00 BST.

The burial of Princess Diana occurred privately later the same day. The ceremony was attended by her former husband's sons, her mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman. The dress in which she was clothed was a black long-sleeved three-quarter length woolen cocktail dress designed by Catherine Walker, a choice she had made some weeks before her death. A pair of black pantyhose and black shoes completed her outfit. A set of rosary beads, a gift from Mother Teresa, was placed in her hands, along with a photograph of her sons, a personal memento she had carried with her.

According to Paul Burrell, a close friend, he placed pictures of Prince Harry and Prince William under her glass dressing table from her Kensington Palace apartment into her coffin, ensuring she would carry a piece of her family with her. This deeply personal element added a poignant touch to the ceremony, reflecting the deeply felt loss and the dedication of her loved ones.

The funeral and subsequent burial marked not just a tragic end but also a timeless moment in history, captured in the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. The details of her passing, meticulously planned and executed, reflect the immense love and respect her life entailed.