Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Queen Elizabeth Mourned Princess Diana's Death In A Completely Unscripted Tribute

Queen Elizabeth Mourned Princess Diana's Death In A Completely Unscripted Tribute
(Anwar Hussein/Getty Images, Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The world mourned when Princess Diana was killed in the tragic car crash in August 31, 1997. But what puzzled the public through their grief was Queen Elizabeth's delayed appearance in London immediately after news of Diana's sudden death.

When the terrible news reached the Queen – who was then 71 – she was staying at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland with her grandsons William, then 15, and Harry, then 12.


Her majesty remained reticent until she finally arrived for the funeral six days after the tragedy. But she subtly reversed the public opinion on the Queen's relationship with the late Princess with a simple gesture.


Photographer Mark Stewart recalled witnessing the monarch at the funeral make a "completely unscripted" moment as she led the family to the gates.

He told People that the Queen was "walking out of the palace down to the side of the road with the public."

"I pushed my way through the crowd, which was about 20 deep, and luckily the BBC had left a ladder against a tree. I managed to climb the ladder and I have the only shot of the Queen bowing her head at the coffin as it goes past."
"It showed the Queen . . . The best of the Queen, really."


Queen Elizabeth II greets mourners at Princess Diana's funeral.(Photo by © Ralf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)


Charles Anson, the former press secretary to the Queen, revealed why the Queen didn't make a public speech straight away.

"It wasn't that easy for the Queen."
"They did what any decent family would do. The first thing was to gather round those boys and give them as much protection and support as possible."


Queen Elizabeth II also penned a heartfelt letter to one of her closest aides, Lady Henriette Abel Smith, revealing how much she adored Diana.


She commented on the funeral services and noticed just how much of an impact Diana's death had on the public.

"Thank you so much for your letter about Diana's tragic death. It was indeed dreadfully sad, and she is a huge loss to the country.
"But the public reaction to her death, and the service in the Abbey, seem to have united people round the world in a rather inspiring way. William and Harry have been so brave and I am very proud of them."
"Emotions are still so mixed up but we have all been through a very bad experience."


Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh arriving at Buckingham Palace in London to attend the funeral of Diana

(Photo credit should read JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II spoke "as a monarch and a grandmother" and addressed the nation about Princess Diana's death that was broadcast by the BBC News on September 5, 1997.

"[Diana] was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness."

Watch the video of the address below:


While the monarch was criticized for not returning to London after news of Diana's death, it's clear the Queen needed some time alone to process her thoughts and grieve in her own way before making a public appearance.


H/T - ibtimes, Twitter, People, MarieClaire

More from Trending

Kid Rock
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Kid Rock Dragged After Donning A Truly Over-The-Top Outfit For His White House Visit

Singer Kid Rock was slammed for wearing a loud patriotic costume inside the Oval Office as Republican President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday against ticket scalping.

The rocker's outfit consisted of a red, white, and blue jacket emblazoned with two eagles facing each other above the American flag with the number 250, a nod to America's upcoming 250th anniversary, and white stars on his sleeves.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Bill Cassidy
CNBC

MAGA Senator Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud With Epic Freudian Slip About Medicare

Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was widely mocked following his inconvenient slip of the tongue during a CNBC interview as he mused about finding ways to "cut" Medicare before quickly correcting himself.

The exchange occurred after host Rebecca Quick pressed Louisiana Republican and former physician Bill Cassidy on how his party intended to fund the “trillion-dollar tax cuts” sought by President Donald Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Tim Sheehy
CNN

GOP Senator Gets Blunt Reality Check After Comparing Trump Tariff 'Pain' To Home Renovation

Montana Republican Senator Tim Sheehy was criticized after he tried to compare the "short-term pain" of President Donald Trump's tariffs to home renovation, a claim so ridiculous that CNN's Kaitlan Collins quickly pushed back on the analogy.

Trump has repeatedly referred to April 2 as “Liberation Day,” pledging to impose tariffs—taxes on imports—to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign goods. He has framed these tariffs as “reciprocal,” aiming to match the duties other nations place on American exports.

Keep ReadingShow less
Susan Crawford; Elon Musk
Scott Olson/Getty Images (left and right)

Liberal Wisconsin Judge Calls Out Elon Musk In Victory Speech—And It's Everything

Liberal judge Susan Crawford called out billionaire Elon Musk in her victory speech after winning a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, basking in successfully beating her Republican opponent Brad Schimel and ensuring that the nonpartisan court’s narrow 4-3 liberal majority remains intact despite Musk's efforts to sway the race.

Musk fueled the high-stakes race, having poured more than $20 million into supporting Schimel, according to state campaign records. That includes $3 million to the state Republican Party—$2 million of which was donated just last week. Due to state election laws, large contributions must be funneled through political parties before reaching candidates.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Describe The Worst 'Bonus' They've Ever Gotten At Work

Most of us have worked at one problematic workplace, with reasons ranging from toxic coworkers to terrible bosses to unlivable pay. Sometimes, it feels like a joke that the employees are even being paid at all!

But the biggest joke of all might be the end-of-year bonus, or lack thereof. They're at times so laughable, they take the cake for horrible work conditions, or are quite literally, a slice of cake.

Keep ReadingShow less