Your Thoughts

I watched the BBC coverage here in New Zealand and thought it was well done. I thought that keeping the commentary down to a minimum, letting the picture tell the story was a nice touch, which let those watching formulate their own thoughts and feelings on what they saw.

Keeping up-to-date with the news since, I am in awe at the amount of money that is coming in for her charities.

I think it is important to remember that Diana, I am sure, would want the majority of these funds to go to the charities she supported but I also feel she would want it to help other people in need also. With this in mind I think of Mother Theresa who has recently passed away whom Diana was very fond of and who herself was an admirer of the Princess and her work.

I believe that Diana would wish some of these funds to go toward the work Theresa was doing in India and other third world nations as a tribute to a woman who devoted her whole life to those who knew suffering beyond our comprehension. I hope that those who are responsible for dividing up the kitty, in their wisdom look at the wider picture and not just what Diana has shown to them and the world already. I'm sure her work with charities would have continued and grown over the years and that it is up to those people now to look beyond the boundary fence and try to use these funds where they are most needed.

Thank you.

Maria Fitzgerald, New Zealand

Thank you all for the funeral coverage of our beloved Queen of Hearts, Diana. As we sat in our home in New Zealand, we felt we were there.

Warmest regards.

Ivy Taite annd Mr and Mrs J K Matiu

Those who say that that the BBC has misrepresented Earl Spencer's eulogy are themselves missing the point. Yes, the main thrust of his criticism was towards the Press , and rightly so. But there was explicit criticism of the House of Windsor both in his reference to Diana needing no royal title to have the magic effect she had and also in his reference to the way her blood family should influence the way in which her sons should be brought up.

Gerry Barnett.

Diana's death and funeral has triggered the most incredible response amongst my friends. Some were very touched and treated the event like a personal family funeral. Others were furious, because they felt incredibly manipulated by the media. Whatever the viewpoint, emotions ranged from depressed to outraged. I am personally rather confused about what is happening here. I am neither a royalist, nor am I interested in celebrities. I am not British and I never met Diana personally. When I heard the news of her death, after a moment of disbelief I felt shocked and sad. I subsequently got annoyed at the constant Press coverage, followed by an inexplicable need for more information and news updates. This eventually crystallised into a need to express my emotions and do something. After yesterday's funeral I feel that we have witnessed the event of the millennium, the beginning of something extraordinary that may stay with us and grow for a long time to come.

F. Ruhlmann

My condolences to the family of Princess Diana, and to the British people. Your loss is a great one. But, though Diana hailed from England, her work made her untimely death a worldwide tragedy. We all will miss the energy, the smile, and the beautiful eyes that showed a heart full of love and compassion. We, the people of the world, would be wise to remember her unfinished mission and continue her important work.

With regard to Earl Spencer's words, I feel a more fitting tribute could not have been uttered. I fully hope that the Spencer's are allowed time with Princes William and Harry to be able to continue to expose them to the Spencer qualities and philosophies. The Monarchy will be better off with a more down to earth outlook. Historically, the times that the Monarchy has had difficulties is when they lost sight and refused to understand the commoner's plight and the true state of the kingdom. The Monarchy should take heed from history.

Again, my heartfelt sympathy to the British people. England lost a princess, but the world lost a Queen.

A Tribute to the late Princess of Wales:

I have never met you, though I would have come close to that, as you were supposed to visit us at the end of the month. My mother has been a fan of the Royal Family all along, and no visit to London would be complete without my bringing home at least a few kilograms of books and other stuff about the Royal Family.

Imagine my thrill when you, my Princess, came into the limelight. I, too, was born in 1961, and this small yet significant 'bond' was one of the things that made you seem more 'real ' to me. Every time I read about your achievements, charitable work and good deeds, I felt a glow of pride. When I read about your grief and sufferings, I sympathised with you. You were, after all, human.

You may be physically gone, my Princess, but you will forever remain in my family's thoughts and prayers, as will your two sons you left behind. The work you started all over will continue in your memory, and your legacy will never die.

I still wish I could have met you, or at least seen you in person, but that will never be. But you will still be my Princess, forever.

I too am sincerely sorry for the loss that both the Spencer and Royal families are endeavouring to come to terms with today.

However, I believe that Earl Spencer's eulogy was inappropriate for this occasion. He should have been celebrating his sister’s life, not using the platform for vitriolic condemnation of the Press and the Royal Family. Although he may be the ‘blood family’, those little boys are the blood family of the House of Windsor, and he should love them enough not to try to split the family in two now, enough is enough.

I am British , and although I am deeply upset and very moved by the events of the last week , I cannot agree with the sentiments of the of the apparently overwhelming majority who feel Earl Spencer's speech was 'magnificent'. I feel that he unfortunately used that which should have been a wonderfully commemorative occasion for the memory of his sister as a soap box for his own political feelings and views . He should not have mentioned his feelings on the shortcomings of the Royal Family in front of those two bereaved children , nor once more brought up the eating disorders of Diana at such a time . Furthermore, the children did not need to be reminded of the role of the Press a that moment. Earl Spencer could have said all this and more at a later date. I disagree with all who say he said that which had to be said ; there is a time and a place for everything , and this was not it .
Surely it was not a state funeral. I think it should be called the ‘people's funeral’ (the people of this world). I believe it was just the sort of funeral Diana would have wanted. May she rest in peace.
Like everyone else, I of course grieve for Diana and admire the dignity in adversity of her sons. I also have to say that my respect for Charles has increased immeasurably during the most difficult week of his life. There is nothing inherently good about public expressions of grief, as opposed to a dignified and stoical determination to face life's tribulations; much of the criticisms levelled at Charles seem to me to have overlooked this.

I salute a brave man.

Oliver Kamm

Diana's service was as unique as she was. Her brother said exactly what people around the world wanted to say. It was really touching. I hope the Spencer family can give to the princes the same kind of life Diana used to give to them. We all will pray for them!

Patricia F Costa - Santos, Brazil

I was most curious as to what the reaction to Earl Spencer's eulogy would be. Certainly the writers at the Washington Post perpetuated the love-hate relationship that the Earl commented upon with their stinging report of how this man insulted the Monarchy.

I have never written a letter to a public personality because I believe in the sanctity of private life. I am compelled, however, to speak up in this public forum and I hope the Earl will read this personal message:

Your eulogy was one of the most complete and brilliant speeches I have ever heard. You addressed the essence of all the issues surrounding your sister honestly and fully. Sir, you are more in touch with the pulse of the world than those who should be.

To hell with the newspapers and commentators. After all is said and done, the fact is they are not the ones who have to live with the grief of having lost a close relative. I send to you my deepest consoling thoughts in the loss of your sister.

Marjorie Vogeley

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