31 August 1997, Diana, the Princess of Wales, met her death in a car crash in Paris. She died, aged 36, along with her companion Dodi Al Fayed, 42, and chauffeur Henri Paul, when the Mercedes they were in crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. The princess's death provoked an unprecedented outpouring of national and international grief, with hundreds of thousands gathering to mourn outside Kensington Palace, where they left a sea of floral tributes. Thousands more later lined the route of her funeral procession. Despite investigation and inquiry reports to convince the public that her untimely death was an unfortunate accident, controversies withstand even up to today, the 10th year of her death anniversary.
There are several memorials being held today to pay tribute to the most-well-loved and well-known princess in the history of the world. The two major ones are those being led by Diana's sons at Guards' Chapel, near Buckingham Palace, and by Dodi's father, Mohamed Al Fayed, at the Harrods.
In his tribute to his mother, Prince Harry, who was 12 when Princess Diana was killed, said: "William and I can separate life into two parts. There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father. And then there are the 10 years since our mother's death. When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivalled love of life, laughter, fun and folly. She was our guardian, friend and protector. She never once allowed her unfaltering love for us to go unspoken or undemonstrated. She will always be remembered for her amazing public work. But behind the media glare, to us, just two loving children, she was quite simply the best mother in the world. We would say that wouldn't we. But we miss her. She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school. She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure. She - like our father- was determined to provide us with a stable and secure childhood. To lose a parent so suddenly at such a young age - as others have experienced - is indescribably shocking and sad. It was an event which changed our lives forever, as it must have done for everyone who lost someone that night. But what is far more important to us now, and into the future, is that we remember our mother as she would have wished to be remembered, as she was - fun-loving, generous, down-to-earth, entirely genuine. We both think of her every day. We speak about her and laugh together at all the memories. Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy. May this be the way that she is remembered."
Prince William, who was 15 when his mother died, gave a reading from St Paul's letter to the Ephesians which asked for inner strength. The service included Diana's favourite classical music by composers Rachmaninov and Mozart and four hymns, concluding with Diana's favourite, 'I Vow To Thee, My Country'.
At the Harrods, owner Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi died in the crash together with Princess Diana, laid flowers at a shrine he has built at the London store and held a two-minute silence. Mr Al Fayed stood behind the bronze statue of his son Dodi and Princess Diana, which stands as a permanent memorial to them in the department store. More than 100 people gathered, including many Harrods staff and Princess Diana supporters of all ages. He thanked the gathering before bowing his head and falling silent. Apart from a rogue mobile phone, the silence was immaculately observed and there was emotion visible on many faces. Then after the silence, applause. Mr Al Fayed surprised everyone when he walked down to greet the well-wishers and took time to shake their hands. In accents from all over the world, people said they were sorry, that they wished him well, and that they missed them both very much. In return Mr Al Fayed smiled and even hugged some people, he took flowers too, including pink roses from one little girl.
The reverend Jesse Jackson made a surprise appearance and spoke quietly to Mr Al Fayed in front of the crowd. There were two books of condolence at Harrods. One outside the store stands by a mound of flowers and in front of the memorial display created to mark the 10th anniversary. Inside, a second book stands behind the statue of Dodi and Princess Diana, and its plinth, which reads: "Innocent victims." It was signed in many different languages today, but the sentiments were universal. One family from Harlow in Essex wrote: "There will never be another lady like you Diana." Another said simply: "Ciao grande principessa (Goodbye Great Princess)."
Other memorial services for the princess are to be held at venues across the UK, including Manchester, Bristol, Aberdeen and Cardiff. Admirers of the late princess have tied flowers and cards to the gates of Kensington Palace - her former London residence - as they did in 1997 after her death. Members of the public have also left bouquets and gifts outside Althorp, where Diana is buried, at the gate of Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where she was born, and near the Eternal Flame monument by the tunnel in Paris where she was killed.
In Singapore, I don't know about others but I personally observed a three-minute silence at noon today as a mark of my sincere respect for the Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, whom I have admired for her selfless and tireless endeavour to help those in dire needs.
Adios, Great Princes! Please rest in peace.
The Garuda - 31 August 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment