Camilla pulls out of Diana service
The Duchess of Cornwall has pulled out of attending the memorial service for the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Clarence House said today.
In a dignified statement, Camilla said she feared her presence could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion.
She said, “I’m very touched to have been invited by Prince William and Prince Harry to attend the thanksgiving service for their mother Diana, Princess of Wales. I accepted and wanted to support them, however, on reflection I believe my attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion which is to focus on the life and service of Diana. I’m grateful to my husband, William and Harry for supporting my decision.”
The announcement came after Rosa Monckton, Diana’s best friend, writing in the Mail on Sunday, urged the Duchess not to attend.
In the article, Rosa Monckton writes that Diana would have been “astonished” that Camilla, whom she described as the third person in her marriage was one of the guests of honour at the service.
Who is Rosa Monnkton other than a friend of Diana’s to be able to make Camilla change her mind so quickly? I honestly think Camilla’s been dreading the thing all along and CH used this as an excuse.
By NCKat on August 26th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Rosa is the wife of the editor of the Sunday Telegraph, Dominic Lawson — son of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson — and also related to senior Palace courtiers of times past. She was Diana’s closest friend and has defended her reputation on the pregnancy issue. I would say she’s very well respected by all sides.
By John on August 26th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Actually I just read that she will not attend and I have to say that I’m very saddend by her decision. I have heard the public and Diana friends comments about her attending it really sickend me. Although I really respected The Princess of Wales, inspired by her to do more for my conutry
By Claudius on August 26th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Thank you for clearing that one up, but it still begs the question of what planet Charles thinks he lives on. If he thought that people would forget the role Camilla played in the breakup of the marriage if they saw her at the memorial (even if she had been invited by William and Harry), he was dead wrong. At least the Queen has the sense to listen to public sentiment now, from what I’ve read — she was against Camilla going in the first place. It’s not the first time Charles has miscalculated public acceptance of his actions and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
You know, I have to hand it to the boys — they are determined to keep their mother’s memory alive in spite of their father’s wishes and I think they have succeeded much better than any of Diana’s siblings.
By NCKat on August 26th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Actually I just read that she will not attend and I have to say that I’m very saddend by her decision. I have heard the public and Diana friends comments about her attending it really sickend me. Although I really respected The Princess of Wales, inspired by her to do more for my country, I believe that the media, public and Diana’s friends are carrying on a grudge that Diana got rid of during the last period of her life. Diana is at peace with God and you have everyone here on this earth is still very much upset with Camilla. I’m just sorry that William & Harry have to go through this.
By Claudius on August 26th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
At last, something that makes sense. The Duchess’ attendance was inappropriate on so many levels. In addition to fairly well spitting in the face on the memory of the Princess, it was also unfair of the Prince of Wales to insist upon the Duchess’ attendance, as has been widely reported. It put her in an impossible situation, and underscores yet again how arrogant and completely out of touch Prince Charles truly is, not only with the country, but with common decency. Charles and Camilla should have been scheduled to be out of the country on business during this week, and avoided the hypocrisy of attending at all.
By Leslie on August 26th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I know this sounds cynical, but I have this picture in my mind of Diana, looking down from Heaven and having a good giggle over Camilla’s dilema. What could make Diana happier, than to see her arch enemy in life still villified by the public ten years after Diana’s death? It just proves the shadow of Diana will always loom large over Charles’ and Camilla’s lives!
By Arthur on August 26th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I’m okay with Charles going to the Memorial Service. Diana was the mother of his sons, and he should be there to support them. If anything said at the service makes Charles uncomfortable, that would be fine, too. Charles should not be allowed to forget the good that Diana did and the hopes she had for William’s and Harry’s lives.
By Evelyn on August 26th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Arthur Diana is probably looking down and laughing so hard she is bent over. It is such a shame that to this day Charles fails to apprieciate all Diana did and what she meant to people all over the world. That should say enough that ten years after her death people remember Diana can never forget her and as her Brother Earl Spencer eulogized whose beauty both internal and external will never be erased from our minds.
P.S. I wonder how C&C feel about three in their marriage making it a bit crowded. LOL
By Trudie on August 26th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
do you recognise the man behind camilla?
By kit on August 26th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Well said, both Arthur and Trudie! The absurd twist to this PR disaster is that it was the ever-ego-driven, ludicrous Charles who demanded that Camilla accept the invitation to the Memorial Service, even though he knew such attendance would fly in the face of public opinion and be seen as crass, insensitive and totally inappropriate. Somehow I doubt that Camilla “on reflection” has decided not to attend for any of those reasons. I feel certain she is afraid that she will be pelted with eggs, as was threatened by several groups. Perhaps if anything good comes out of this pathetic snafu, it may be that Camilla will now realize that Charles is not to be trusted and that he is interested only in himself and listens to no one, including the Queen. Disgraceful behavior for anyone, let alone the Heir to the throne! Britannia has a prince worthy of the crown, but his name is William, not Charles.
By Gigi on August 26th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
No, Kit, I do not recognize him. Who is he?
By Gigi on August 26th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I don’t know who that man is, and I frankly don’t like Camilla because of the part she played in the breakup of the marriage, but I have to say that’s a stunning dress she’s wearing! I’ve noticed she’s less dowdier these days/
By NCKat on August 26th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Gah, I’m such a bad typist! That should’ve been a full stop after the last sentence, not a slash. I’m sorry.
By NCKat on August 26th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Charles insistence on Camilla attending the memorial is so telling on many different levels.
First, it was probably going to be a “victory walk” for them and that was paramount.
Second, a slap in the face of Diana.
Third, contempt for the public.
No wonder Charles drove Diana mad. Can you imagine what it must have like married to him?
By Alicia on August 26th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I am in total agreement with you, Alicia. Well said!
By Gigi on August 26th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
This is the proper response for the second Princess of Wales, Camilla, to have given to the Princes’ more than generous invitation. It’s unfortunate for her and Charles, that she did not orginally understand this.
By Mrs. Peperium on August 26th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Mrs. Peperium. I don’t think she’d any choice - Charles insisted that she was to be there and she always goes along with what he dictates. I agree with Alicia, it must be hellish being married to that man!
By NCKat on August 26th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
I absolutely dispute that Charles is a man, but I agree it would be hell to be married to that clod!
By Gigi on August 26th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
If only they listened to the Queen this whole embarrassment would have been avoided. Especially after the guess lists was published by CH, which included Camilla. Daily Mail is reporting the Queen personally requested directly from Camilla to not attend after Rosa Monckton article came out. Despite what I think of Camilla, her decision should be commended, first decent move she made beyond self-serving Charles.
By Elizabeth on August 26th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I agree. I might even consider liking Camilla (well, maybe not!) after this decision. It is the only good thing I have seen from her. It was good for the Queen to stand up on this issue; she should! I wonder if Camilla also stood up to Charles. How funny would it be for the second POW to stand up to Charles too! Now, I wonder if that would make Charles think twice about himself…
By Cate on August 27th, 2007 at 12:20 am
The fiasco surrounding the Memorial Service for Diana just proves that some members of the Royal Family, Prince Charles to be exact, have learned nothing in the ten years since Diana’s death. He is as out of touch with the public’s mood now, as during the week preceeding Diana’s funeral. The movie “The Queen” should be MANDATORY watching for every member of the Royal Family and their households! I read today that Princess Anne has not yet responded to her invitation to the Memorial Service and there is no mention of the service on Anne’s official calendar of engagements. Does Anne think she is too grand to attend the service? Perhaps she should put her haughtiness aside and think about her nephews, William and Harry. I sometimes wonder how William and Harry manage to cope within a family that despised their mother in life as well as in death. It shows great strength of character not tell some of their Royal relations to go to H-LL! I don’t believe for one minute the press reports that say the Princes “Love Camilla to bits!” I think they tolerate her for their father’s sake and Charles should not force Camilla on them in any way. I know the Princes “supposedly” invited Camilla to the service, but she should have politely declined, with Charles’ blessing, from the start. If not for the public outcry, Charles and Camilla would happily have “trampled on Diana’s grave” by sitting front and center at the Memorial Service as though nothing ever happened amoung the three of them years ago.
By Arthur on August 27th, 2007 at 12:46 am
NCKat, I think the gold dress Camilla is wearing is one of QEII’s left over frocks from her Golden Anniversary, cut short for The Duchess of Cornball!
By Arthur on August 27th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Arthur Regarding Princess Anne She and Diana never really got along and I think she does not want to be a hypocrite by going. I have to say if she does not attend I appauld her for standing by her convictions unlike Camilla who was adamant about going then bowed to pressure to pull out. But I have to say If I were William and Harry I would tell those lovely relatives to go to hell and show some respect for their mother. Hell They should shout it all over London!!!!
By Trudie on August 27th, 2007 at 1:11 am
I aree with you, Trudie. I read somewhere that Charles had “hijacked” Princess Diana’s Memorial service and was personally supervising all the plans. He was determined to make it a PR event for himself and Camilla, to show everyone that Camilla was no longer considered a bad person for breaking up Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding. Instead, he made the entire thing another PR disaster. I swear he is two or three sandwiches short of a picnic! I think Prince William and Prince Harry are afraid of his anger and contempt, his vindictive, crabbed bad temper that they witnessed Charles use against their Mother. I think they go along with Charles’ nefarious schemes because they fear the consequences if they do not.
By Gigi on August 27th, 2007 at 4:18 am
Trudie, this appeared in The Telegraph: “It had been suggested that the Princess Royal planned to snub the event but a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that “all senior members” of the Royal Family, except the Duke of York, who will be in Malaysia, were expected to attend.” Looks like Anne “saw the light” or was pushed, perhaps by QEII!
By Arthur on August 27th, 2007 at 6:32 am
It has been announced from BBC America that the service will be broadcasted live on that channel. On BBC America, the coverage starts at 6am.
By Claudius on August 27th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Trudie, is this the same Earl Spencer who refused Diana refuge at Althorp when she was hounded by the press? He wouldn’t even give her use of a cottage.
When we remember the eulogy, let’s not forget the hypocrisy and the spite.
I have a long memory too. Diana was certainly a very sweet person. She was also utterly unforgiving and vindictive if she imagined you had crossed her. Victoria Mendham is a good example of that.
By John on August 27th, 2007 at 9:25 am
I absolutely dispute that Charles is a man, but I agree it would be hell to be married to that clod!
Ha ha! Gigi, you’re incorrigible.
By John on August 27th, 2007 at 9:27 am
I don’t believe for one minute the press reports that say the Princes “Love Camilla to bits!” I think they tolerate her for their father’s sake …
Arthur, if that’s the case, doesn’t it say a lot for the maturity and good sense of the two Princes?
Grudges only poison the minds of the people who hold them. After ten years there should be no poison left in this story. A service is meant to be reconciling, not another occasion for backbiting relatives to vent their fury. Or am I missing something here?
Never hold a grudge, is one of the best pieces of advice you can give to young people. Thankfully, the next generation of Royals seem to have understood that.
By John on August 27th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Yes John we are talking about the same Earl Spencer. I am not a fan of his lets be honest here. This is the same man who denied her a refuge in life but was quick to claim her in death. Privacy was an issue he claimed in a letter to her but once she died it became a non issue. He turned Althorp into a memorial as a way to make money to maintain the estate. He is a pompous cad who treated both of his wives very badly. Yes he is the ultimate hypocrite but those words used to describe Diana summed up the way most people feel about her.
By Trudie on August 27th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Arthur I just read it too my guess QEII pushed her.
By Trudie on August 27th, 2007 at 10:23 am
I do agree with you, John, the Princes are showing far more maturity than their elders about this whole thing. Arthur, I think it’d be stupid of them not to accept Camilla as their stepmother; look how petty and mean Diana was to hers. Both Charles and Camilla came from extremely dysfunctional families and it’s not surprising how they acted out in their first marriage. Not that it was right, you understand, just that it was understandable.
I think Prince Charles needs to get his head out of the fog he’s been in for most of his life and get in touch with reality. He’s definitely spoilt but life as a Royal tends to do that to children.
By NCKat on August 27th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Ingrid Seward is saying the Queen intervened after Camilla spoke with her. Thank heavens there’s a calm, cool mind at the centre of all this angst.
By John on August 27th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
If Charles and Camilla had listened to the Queen to begin with, this PR disaster would never have transpired. Charles’ ego will be the death of us all! Why will he not listen to his Mother, who is also his Queen? She is a very astute woman, and wisdom is only one of her many sterling attributes.
John, I am not incorrigible. “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead, ” said my Grandfather. I stick tenaciously to my point.
By Gigi on August 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I don’t think the Queen intervened. I have always believed that her public stance against Camilla - “that wicked woman” was just politics. In private, she probably does not have much against Camilla and blames Diana for making the whole thing public.
I think the Royal Family started seeing a public outcry against Camilla’s attendance in the making and decided to cut their losses. They then came up with the face saving story of Camilla having spoken to the Queen and she intervened.
Does anyone really believe that poor Camilla, at wits end with Charles’ insistence that she attend, turned to the Queen for help?
NOT!!
By Alicia on August 27th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
You have a point, Alicia. Neither Charles nor Camilla have valued nor listened to the Queen’s advice before, so why now? I think the real reason Camilla pulled out of the Memorial Service is that she is afraid of being pelted by eggs and being subjected to verbal jeers from the outraged public.
By Gigi on August 27th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
John, the Daily Express has a story in which they are saying that the Queen is furious at Charles for mismanaging the whole affair and that the row has set them back two years. Here’s the link.
The writer says “But yesterday senior advisers to the Royal Family admitted that the brouhaha threatened to have wider implications.
They said it had undone much of their hard work over the past two years to persuade the nation to accept Camilla. It has also raised questions about Charles’s suitability as a future King.”
By NCKat on August 28th, 2007 at 3:13 am
Thanks for the link, NCKat. Once again, I say: Charles’ ego and selfishness will be the downfall of the monarchy in Britain. He is his own worst enemy.
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 3:54 am
Thanks, NCKat. I certainly do think the crown should pass to William, bypassing Charles. If Camilla is his “non-negotiable,” then Charles certainly should consider whether his current wife will be the downfall of the whole British monarchy, or only the downfall of his own accession to the throne.
By Evelyn on August 28th, 2007 at 4:11 am
Well said, Evelyn. I personally am sick of this penchant of Charles’ for declaring that everything having to do with Camilla is “non-negotiable.” What a thug he is! How dare he tell his parents, especially the Queen, that anything is “non-negotiable”–especially since this sordid relationship with Camilla has so fatally damaged the monarchy. His ego is beyond belief and his arrogance is appalling. He is fouling the nest for the entire Royal Family! He is not worthy to be Prince of Wales, let alone King.
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Well, it’s certainly not done Charles and Camilla any favours. First to insist, then to retreat is the worst of all possible solutions.
By John on August 28th, 2007 at 9:04 am
That same Daily Express article touches upon Edward VIII - I can see the same ghastly uproar if Charles felt he had his back to the wall - he’d go all defiant and abdicate the throne. I also think if the affair had not been disclosed during Charles’ and Diana’s marriage, and if he had kept it all very low-key, things would have been much better. His advisors don’t seem to be all that sharp-witted to me.
On the other hand, if people would just let time take its course, again, things would be better - it’s Charles’ insistence that Camilla attend the memorial and the defence put up by Diana’s friends that brought all of this to a head. Again, Charles has mucked up royally.
By NCKat on August 28th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Well said, NCKat. Charles, as always, is the architect of his own disaster. And, as Lord Mountbatten warned Charles in a letter written several years prior to Charles’ marriage, Charles is very like the Duke of Windsor in many ways, none of them positive. Both Charles and the Duke of Windsor severely damaged their reputations and credibility by being selfish, obstinate, arrogant and totally ignoring the needs and views of others. I do not see Charles’ abdicating, because power is too essential for him. I do see him destroying the monarchy in a vindictive, irrational fit of anger, however, if he does not get his way. Charles is a dangerous person. He will use–or abuse–anyone to get what he wants. Heaven help Britain if he ever mounts the throne.
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Is Camilla attending this memoial caused such an uproar, can you imagine what it will be like when the Queen dies and Charles announces that Camilla will be crowned Queen.
I don’t think he’ll make it to his coronation.
By Alicia on August 28th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Claudius, do you know if the broadcast of the Memorial Service on BBC America begins at 6am UK time or 6am Eastern Time in the States? I can’t find it listed on the BBC America programming schedule.
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Alicia, I can promise you that when that dreadful day arrives and we are mourning for the excellent Queen Elizabeth II, if on that fateful day it is announced that Charles will ascend the throne with Camilla as his queen, I shall be violently ill, drop dead and die in the weeds! May Heaven spare us all this ghastly eventuality.
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
“Never hold a grudge, is one of the best pieces of advice you can give to young people. Thankfully, the next generation of Royals seem to have understood that.”
John, I hope you are correct about the younger Royals being more frogiving than the older Royals. William and Harry seem to get along well with their Phillips cousins, despite Princess Anne’s apparent dislike for Diana. However, if I remember correctly, neither Charles, William nor Harry attended Princess Beatrice’s 18th birthday dress ball at Windsor Castle. Bea’s party was very poorly attended by the Senior Royals. QEII and Prince Phillip didn’t even attend. Is that because forgiveness applies to everyone except Sarah, Duchess of York?
By Arthur on August 28th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Alicia and Gigi, I prefer to think of the glass as half full. By that I mean, Queen Elizabeth II is in robust health and could reign for another twenty years. That would make Camilla 80 years old before Charles gets to the throne. Camilla has already had more health problems than QEII ever had and Camilla smoked for many years. Camilla may predecease the Queen and thereby avoid any constitutional crisis. Problem solved!
By Arthur on August 28th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Arthur, you give me hope! Truly!
A very sensible post. If, as you propose, the glass turns out to be half full, and things transpire to keep Camilla from sharing the throne with Charles, I shall pour champagne to the brim of every goblet and we shall drink many toasts as we celebrate the beginning of the reign of Prince William as King of the realm!
By Gigi on August 28th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Arthur, Bea’s 18th was seem by many in the family as gruesome and tacky. The guest list, as I remember, was full of rappers and showboating types. Just as well they stayed away.
By John on August 29th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Do you think William actually wants to be King?
John - totally agree about Di’s brother. Quote from Mr sensitive re his wife’s anorexia:
“They tell you you should marry someone who sticks with you through thick and thin. Well Victoria’s thick and she’s certainly thin! “
By kit on August 29th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I’m sure he’s ambivalent about it, Kit, but is now reconciled to his destiny. I think he’ll be a good King when he’s matured a bit and got his Army experience out of the way.
By John on August 30th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Well, Ive heard someone say “the people have won”. Rubbish! The newspapers have won. Like the Sun have won when its title “Where is our Queen? Where is our flag?” has had finally the power to make Queen decided to go to London 10 years ago, this time it was the DailyMail. There was British newspapers where I was, and I must say that Ive never seen such a thing. Despite the fact that Camilla’s presence is not appropriate, what they have done has a name, harrassment. For my part I dont feel relieved nor happy. It becomes to be sick. Ofcourse Camilla was not going to be there, Charles’ courtiers were just buying time and waiting for a good excuse. It was expected to be Diana’s week and it’s a whole fiasco (in UK
). Charles, his wife, Wills and his girlfriend overshadow the minds. They are the superstars at Diana’s own memorial. Bouh ouh ouh.
By Lilyfromfrance on August 30th, 2007 at 10:09 am
You’re so cute, Lily.
By kit on August 30th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Thank you, Kit
By Lilyfromfrance on August 30th, 2007 at 6:38 pm