During Princess Diana’s casket procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey for her funeral, thousands of mourners gathered along the streets to witness the somber event. Notably among them was Queen Elizabeth II, who stood outside Buckingham Palace. As Diana’s casket passed by, the Queen lowered her head in a gesture of respect for her late former daughter-in-law.

Queen Elizabeth II’s bow held significance, as she, as the head of the United Kingdom, traditionally does not bow to anyone. This departure from protocol highlighted the exceptional nature of Diana’s impact, prompting the Queen to show a personal sign of respect during the poignant moment.

During Princess Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, her brother Earl Spencer delivered a bold eulogy criticizing the monarchy. He portrayed Diana as having “natural nobility” outside royal constraints and assured his nephews that the Spencer family would support them beyond the limitations of royal duty. The applause from outside the abbey resonated with a public critical of the monarchy’s initial response to Diana’s passing. Earl Spencer, while denying intent to insult, emphasized the importance of honesty in celebrating Diana’s legacy.

In the days following Princess Diana’s passing, mourners left cards, gifts, and flowers outside Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace. One poignant moment that garnered global attention was Prince Harry placing a card addressed to “Mummy” on a specially chosen bouquet atop her casket.

The simplicity of the card, a final note from a grieving boy to his departed mother, resonated with the world, encapsulating the pain of the moment. Lisa Webb, the florist who provided the flowers, was moved by the emotional significance of the card, handwritten by Prince Harry. The flowers, selected by the princes, included white roses and tulips, reflecting their mother’s preferences.

Following the early morning news of Princess Diana’s passing on August 31, 1997, mourners gathered outside Kensington Palace, her London residence, and Buckingham Palace. Despite never personally meeting her, people felt a deep connection to the Princess of Wales. Tasha Jane, a mourner, brought a white rose to Kensington Palace, expressing, “I followed her life and felt like I could really relate to her.”

Mourners didn’t arrive empty-handed; they brought cards, mementos, and flowers. In a collective outpouring of grief, an estimated more than 60 million flowers were left by mourners on royal property, symbolizing the widespread impact and emotional connection people felt toward Princess Diana.

Prime Minister Tony Blair accurately gauged the public’s profound emotional response to Princess Diana’s passing. Acknowledging her extraordinary connection with people, Blair paid tribute to her in an official statement and bestowed upon her a new title: “the People’s Princess.” He highlighted Diana’s impact on lives globally, emphasizing her compassion and humanity, and expressed that she would forever remain in the hearts and memories of the people. Blair’s recognition of the public’s sentiment resonated with the widespread sense of loss and affection for Diana.

While Queen Elizabeth II and Diana’s family, the Spencers, were aligned in the belief that Diana’s funeral should be a private affair, Prince Charles held a different view. He insisted on a public funeral with the full ceremonial honors befitting the Princess of Wales. This stance conflicted with the desire for privacy, especially considering Diana’s estrangement from the royal family. Prime Minister Tony Blair sided with Charles, advocating for a more public funeral to be inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.

The Royal Standard, typically reserved for when the monarch is present, was draped on Princess Diana’s coffin during her funeral, a departure from protocol. Prince Harry, in his memoir, questioned this breach, considering his mother was no longer considered part of the royal family. Additionally, the Union Jack was flown at half-mast outside Buckingham Palace for Diana, contrary to the usual practice, reflecting the public’s desire to show respect for her exceptional funeral.

Princess Diana’s funeral saw the attendance of celebrities, notably pop superstar Elton John, who considered her “one of [his] dearest friends.” Elton John performed a modified version of “Candle in the Wind” at the funeral, with lyrics referencing Diana as “England’s rose.” The song became an anthem for those mourning the princess globally, achieving immense popularity as a charity single.

Despite its success, Elton John expressed discomfort with the song’s popularity, vowing not to perform it in public again. He questioned its appeal, finding it morbid and unnatural, and believed it wasn’t what Diana would have wanted.

Since Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, many significant royal events have been televised, and Princess Diana’s funeral was no exception. Approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide tuned in to watch the event, making it the most-watched live TV event in history, surpassing even the viewership of her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, which had drawn hundreds of millions of viewers. Scholar Wendy Griffin estimates that “two-fifths of the world’s human population” watched Diana’s funeral, highlighting the global impact and widespread interest in the People’s Princess.

The royal family meticulously plans even funerals for high-ranking members years in advance. However, plans for Princess Diana’s funeral were not in place as she was no longer technically a member of the royal family. When her passing compelled the royal family to organize a public funeral, they lacked pre-established arrangements and had to improvise.

In the absence of specific plans for Diana, organizers borrowed elements from “Operation Tay Bridge,” a long-rehearsed plan for the Queen Mother’s funeral, to ensure a dignified and organized event.

Diana’s family, the Spencers, initially wished for a private funeral, but Prince Charles advocated for a public one, leading to a compromise. The Spencers arranged a low-key, post-funeral burial at Althorp House, Diana’s ancestral home. Her grave is located on a small island in a lake on the estate grounds, chosen for its inaccessibility as a protective measure against unwanted intrusion.

The site was intentionally made difficult to reach to prevent interference from the public, as explained by Diana’s brother, Charles, Earl Spencer. Despite the lack of direct access to her grave, Althorp House has become a tourist attraction, drawing visitors seeking to pay their respects to the beloved princess.