| Silently, millions of people lined the streets of London as Diana's coffin was carried on a gun carriage down the Mall, through Horse Guards and along Whitehall to Westminster Abbey. Millions more watched their television sets in Britain and around the world to view the sombre procession. The Queen bowed her head as the carriage passed Buckingham Palace. For the first time in history the Union Flag was flown at half-mast above the Palace. But it was to Diana's beloved sons that the world reached out as they filed behind the coffin with the Prince of Wales, Prince Philip and Earl Spencer. Poignantly, they were followed by representatives of Diana's 100 favorite charities. It was this blend of tradition and modernity that was to characterise the funeral service. It had been carefully planned to encompass hymns and music so very special to her. As her coffin emerged from the Abbey, the hands of Big Ben crept to 12:05pm and the nation was shrouded in silence. For one minute, young and old honoured their Princess. Rarely had a mark of respect been so widely observed throughtout the country. Durning the Procession of the Cortege from Kensington Palace, the Tenor Bell is tolled every minute. |  |
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| The service is sung by Martin Neary, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ is played by Martin Baker, Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey. Music before the service, played by Stephen Le Prevost, Assistant Organist, Westminster Abbey: Second Movement (Grave) Organ Sonata, no.2 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-47) Prelude on the hymn 'Eventide' Hubert Parry (1848-1918) Adagio in E Frank Bridge (1879-1941) Prelude on the Hymn tune 'Rhosymedre' Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Choral prelude: Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV639 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Elegy George Thalben-Ball (1896-1988) Martin Baker plays: Fantasia in C minor, BWV537 Johann Sebastian Bach Adagio in G minor Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751) Slow movement, fron the Ninth Symphony ('From The New World') Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) Canon Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) Nimrod, Variation 9 arranged from Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma) Op.36 Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Prelude William Harris (1883-1973) The members of the Spencer Family are received at the Great West Door by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. All stand as they are conducted to places in the North Lantern, and then sit. All stand as The Procession of Visiting Clergy moves to places in the Sacrarium, and then sit. Members of the Royal Family are received at the Great West Door by Dean and Chapter of Westminster and are conducted to St George's Chapel. All stand as they are conducted to places in the South Lantern, and then sit. Her Majesty The Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are received at the Great West Door by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. All stand as Their Majesties and His Royal Highness are conducted to their places in the South Lantern. |
 | All remain standing as the Cortege enters the Great West Door.The Collegiate Body of St Peter in Westminster moves into places in the Nave. |
~ The National Anthem ~God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen, Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen ~ Thesaurus Musicus (c1743) arranged by Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) ~ Order Of Service ~The Cortege preceded by the Collegiate Body, moves to the Quire and Sacrarium, durning which the Choir sings.... ~ The Sentences ~I am the resuuection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, through he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. St John 11:25,26 I know that my Redemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25-27 We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21) William Croft (1678-1727) Organist of Westminster Abbey (1708-27) Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer) Henry Purcell (1659-95) Organist of Westminster Abbey (1679-95) I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours. (Revelations 14:13) William Croft All remain standing. The Very Reverend Dr Wesley Carr, Dean of Westminster, says.... ~ The Bidding ~We are gathered here in Westminster Abbey to give thanks for the life of Diana, Princess of Wales; to commend her soul to almighty God, and to seek his comfort for all who mourn. We particularly pray for God's restoring peace and loving presence with her children, the Princes William and Harry, and for all her family. In her life, Diana profoundly influenced this nation and the world. Although a princess, she was someone for whom, from afar, we dared to feel affection, and by whom we were all intrigued. She kept company with kings and queens, with princes and presidents, but we especially remember her humane concerns and how she met individuals and made them feel significant. In her death she commands the sympathy of millions. Whatever our beliefs and faith, let us with thanksgiving remember her life and enjoyment of it; let us rededicate to God the works of those many charities that she supported; let us commit ourselves anew to caring for others; and let us offer to him and for his service our own mortality and vulnerablity. All remain standing to sing.... ~ The Hymn ~I vow to thee, my country, all earthy things above, entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: the love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test, that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; the love that never falters, the love that pays the price, the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice. ~ And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; we may not count her armies, we may not see her King; her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace. ~ Cecil Spring-Rice (1859-1918) Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
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