The day Britain stood still: Princess Diana's funeral

The death of Princess Diana on 31 August 1997, 20 years ago, sent shockwaves throughout Britain.

On the day of her funeral on 6 September, a nation mourned the death of the People’s Princess.

The British Royal Family, world leaders, European royalty and mourners from across the globe travelled to London to attend to funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Six black horses carried Diana’s coffin to the service from Westminster Abbey as her two sons, William and Harry, then aged 15 and 12, walked behind the casket, accompanied by their father Prince Charles, grandfather Prince Philip, and uncle Charles Spencer.

Mourners lined the streets, and threw flowers at the coffin as it slowly passed by.

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As The Queen left Buckingham Palace, the Royal Standard was lowered and replaced with a Union Flag flying at half mast, as a mark of respect to the Princess.

During the service Diana’s brother Charles read a moving eulogy in which he praised his sister’s ‘selfless humanity’. The then-Prime Minister Tony Blair read a passage from the First Epistle to the Corinthians.

Diana’s close friend Sir Elton John performed ‘Candle in the Wind’, written in her honour.

Diana was then buried at her family home in Althorp.

We look back at the day Britain stood still.