Diana memorial service will exclude public

The memorial service for Diana, Princess of Wales will be far different from her funeral service a decade ago, for there will be no giant screens to relay the service from the Guards Chapel to the waiting crowds outside.

London, Aug 29 : The memorial service for Diana, Princess of Wales will be far different from her funeral service a decade ago, for there will be no giant screens to relay the service from the Guards Chapel to the waiting crowds outside.

Also missing this time around will be the walkabout after the service by members of the Royal Family.

Though the service will be broadcast live on BBC and ITV, because Diana's sons William and Harry have asked that the service be a private one, there will be virtually no facilities provided for the public planning to attend.

A Clarence House spokesman confirmed that there would no be any screen in St James's Park, which is opposite to the Guards Chapel where the service will take place.

"It is impossible to estimate the numbers of people who will come to London. There will be a little bit of audio in the vicinity of the chapel but there will not be any screens in the park and there are no plans for a walk-about. It is very much a personal family service," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

However, Penny Junor, a biographer of the Prince of Wales, and Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, the heart surgeon and founder of the Chain of Hope charity with which the princess worked closely both agreed that the service should be relayed to the public outside.

"People will turn up because they want to see Cliff Richard, Elton John and the princes. I would suggest that they put up giant screens to ensure anyone who does show up can share in the proceedings. They should meet the people but they seem to have got themselves into a bit of a mess," said Junor.

Sir Magdi added: "It is important there should be events that are inclusive to the public. Diana loved the public and always wanted them to be included. She touched them in her own way."

"The right attitude is to celebrate her life. I think everyone wants to celebrate her life. You have to communicate the event to the public but I also sympathise with the princes."

About 450 people will attend the service, including all senior members of the Royal Family, with the exception of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Prince Charles' wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess, who was first going to attend the service after an invitation by her husband and stepsons, decided to pull out following public uproar.

The service takes place this Friday.

ANI