In the aftermath of the tragic death of The Princess of Wales there has been a wave of speculation and inaccurate stories about the events leading up, and subsequent to, the funeral. These stories need to be corrected. Specifically:-

a. Stories of disputes between the Royal Family and the Spencer family are false;

b. The funeral arrangements were made in less than a week. Inevitably there were some minor differences over points of detail but these were swiftly and amicably resolved;

c. The Queen took decisions in close consultation with The Prince of Wales at Balmoral. Her advisers were in close touch with those of The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister. Suggestions that pressure had to be exerted on The Queen by anyone, including The Prince of Wales, are false;

d. Stories of disagreements and heated conversations between The Prince of Wales and Sir Robert Fellowes are equally false;

e. More stories have been circulated to the effect that The Queen was opposed :

1. To a public funeral
2. To an RAF `plane going to Paris to bring The Princess's body home; and
3. To The Princess's resting in a Royal Palace or Chapel before the funeral.

These stories are the direct opposite of the truth.

There is now speculation about future reform. As The Queen said in her broadcast, she believes there are lessons to be drawn from the life of the Princess and the public reaction to it. That process of evaluating these lessons is not helped for the Royal Family or anyone else by unfounded speculation. As for lessons for the Palace, The Queen's advisers are of course working closely with The Prince of Wales's office.