Camilla decides to not attend Princess Diana memorial following criticism

Laurent · August 26th, 2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Camilla to be absent from Diana memorial

LONDON - Prince Charles' wife announced Sunday that she will not attend a service marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, after criticism that her presence would be inappropriate.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had accepted an invitation from Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry, to accompany them to the service Friday at the Guards' Chapel in London's Wellington Barracks. Some criticized the decision, since Camilla had an affair with Charles when he was still married to Diana.

"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," the duchess said in a statement. "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."

Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II also supported this decision.

Hard-core Diana fans, who accuse Camilla of destroying Diana's marriage, were relieved.

"I couldn't be happier if I'd won the lottery," said Joan Berry, secretary of the Diana Appreciation Society.

Diana, known for her charity work and tabloid celebrity, died in a Paris car crash with her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, on Aug. 31, 1997.

Diana married Charles in 1981 in a ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral televised around the world. They had two sons, William and Harry, but divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides.

Friday's anniversary will be marked with a nationally televised memorial service and specially commissioned prayers.

Camilla to be absent from Diana memorial - Yahoo! News

A*O · August 26th, 2007, 09:38 PM

Say what you will about Camilla, this woman has class and brains. I agree that it would be inappropriate for her to attend, especially with all the members of the St Diana Our Lady Of Perpetual Victimhood lynchmob who will no doubt turn up in their thousands to 'grieve' all over again.

Raspberry gashes · August 26th, 2007, 09:47 PM

Diana and Charles should never have gotten married, Diana seemed to be pretty damn unhappy the whole time, and Camilla and Charles were in love. Didn't the Queen stand in the way again?

Laurent · August 26th, 2007, 09:47 PM

I'm inclined to agree. Camilla has bent to the feelings of Diana sympathizers at every turn. She turned down the title Princess of Wales, she has said she will not use the title 'Queen' if and when Charles ascends to the throne, she's graciously bowed out of events to please Diana's most ardent.

If Princes William and Harry don't have a problem with her presence, I don't understand the problem. Then again, I'm not English, so perhaps I don't have the proper perspective, but still . . .

A*O · August 27th, 2007, 12:49 AM

Prince Charles is a notorious 'ditherer'. He prevaricates, hesitates, anguishes over decisons. He met and fell in love with Camilla many years before he'd even heard of Diana (who he was more or less forced to marry via family pressure to marry and produce the heir and the spare). He wanted to marry Camilla but she wasn't considered 'suitable' because she had A Past, ie she wasn't an innocent young virgin. If he'd had any backbone and balls he would have ignored the family's objections and married Camilla but instead, as usual, he hesitated and faffed around and Camilla get fed up with it all and married Andrew Parker Bowles (himself a legendary philanderer) instead. If this whole drama has achieved anything it's made the Royal family realise that they can't live by these arcane and unrealistic 'rules'. Prince William and Kate Middleton were (are? rumour has it they are back On again) living together quite openly which would have been absolutely unthinkable even 20 years ago.

DoveFeatheredRaven · August 27th, 2007, 05:28 AM

I don't think she is showing class by staying away. I think she is being smart in a PR sense. She needs for the public to forget her role in the downfall of their marriage and her being there would unleash a hailstorm of criticism on her.

Can't stand the ugly cow. I wish her only misery in life.

CCkissesx · August 27th, 2007, 05:58 AM

Although I'm not fond of Camilla, I think she made the right decision not to attend the memorial service.

Chilly Willy · August 27th, 2007, 06:03 AM

I agree, it was the right decision.

Ravenna · August 27th, 2007, 06:10 AM

I've come to kinda, sorta, almost like Camilla just a little bit. I admire her discretion if nothing else. Yes, she's done some very wrong things, but that was a long time ago; Diana has been dead for ten years. I would think it's time to give the hate a rest, but I guess that's just me.

sputnik · August 27th, 2007, 06:28 AM

i like camilla, always have. agree with a*o, she's smart and classy and unlike diana, actually has a personality.

A*O · August 27th, 2007, 06:43 AM

She has also remained absolutely silent on the subject of her relationship with Charles, her marriage and all the other stuff that Diana loved to spill to the ravenous media. I would be very interested to hear Camilla's side of the story but she's never going to say a word about it because it's private and I respect her for that. I think she will make an excellent Queen and consort to Charles who is totally devoted to her and vice versa. Isn't it nice to see a couple of middle aged old farts who are still totally crazy about each other?

darksithbunny · August 27th, 2007, 07:32 AM

I don't think it's so much the Diana supports she bends to please but William and Harry. I think it would kind of uncomfortable for them.

Heavenseventeen · August 27th, 2007, 07:46 AM

No matter what she does, Diana's fans will never be satisfied. They act like she was so perfect. Yes I agree with the person who said that Charles shouldn't have married her in the first place, but the same goes for her. They should've both been mature adults and taken control.

Fabularosa · August 27th, 2007, 08:58 AM

Oh, I can't agree that she is smart and classy in the least but finally it's the right decision!

crackho · August 27th, 2007, 09:15 AM

Oh, does it really matter anyway? I tend to think Diana isn't too concerned about it at the moment.

I can't stand when someone blames "the other woman" for breaking up a marriage. No one outside the husband and wife can break up a marriage. If your spouse strays, blame your spouse.