"Candle in the Wind"

I am sure everyone can remember what they were doing on August 31, 1997, when the announcement was made that Princess Diana had been in a terrible accident in Paris and had died from the injuries she had sustained. She and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed were in a high-speed chase to get away from the paparazzi when their vehicle went out of control. They were both killed along with the driver of the car.   

On September 6, 1997, Diana's funeral began when her coffin was carried from the palace on a gun carriage by riders of the King's troop and escorted by mounted police. The funeral started at 9:08 and ended at 3:32. It was 384 minutes long. Two thousand people attended the ceremony. Over 2.5 billion people watched the event on tv. 

Diana was dressed in a long-sleeved black woolen cocktail dress which she had chosen a few weeks prior. A pair of black pantihose and black shoes. In her hands was a picture of her sons, which traveled with her and was found in her handbag. She held a rosary that was a gift from Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa died the same week as Diana.  

Her body was laid to rest in her family estate. Prince Charles, William, Harry, her mother, siblings, a close friend and clergyman were the only people present. 

I will never forget the sadness I felt as I watched her sons walking behind their mother's casket, with their Dad, Grandfather, and Diana's brother. That scene will forever stay in our minds as our hearts broke even more for those boys. They were just as we expected, stoic.  

The second thing that I will forever remember is Elton John singing "Candle in the Wind". Elton and Diana were good friends, and I thought how difficult it must have been for him to perform. What a tremendous act of love as he sang, just him and his piano. He had re-written the words as a tribute to Diana. Elton has never performed that song since. He sings the original at his concerts but not the version he sang at Diana's funeral.  

Any child losing their mother is extremely hard, let alone a woman that they shared with the world. Diana was the normal in those boys' lives. She loved them deeply and wasn't afraid to let the world know. Can you only imagine the love and joy she would have gotten from those 5 little grandchildren. What a fun mother-in-law she would have been for Kate and Megan.  

William and Harry are now men. I absolutely love both of them. I saw Harry at the Invictus games and found him so genuine. A great speaker, a person that could relate and fun. Just an amazing man. William has taken on a different role. He and Kate are raising their three children as normal as they can. They have not been spared from the realities of life as they fought Kate's cancer as a team. I look forward to the day that William is King. I feel he couldn't have picked a woman more perfect to help guide and support him when he is King. Kate resembles Diana in many ways, with the exception of being a wild card like Diana could be from time to time, Kate will be the perfect Queen.  

Diana was described as shy, but her charisma and friendliness endeared her to the public and helped her survive. She was considered photogenic and regarded as a fashion icon. She was loved by everyone.

A "Candle in the Wind" means a fragile and vulnerable thing, likely to be put in jeopardy. What a perfect way to describe Diana. 

A Candle in the Wind

Goodbye England's rose

May you ever grow in our hearts

You were the grace that placed itself

Where lives were torn apart

You called out to our country

And you whispered to those in pain

Now you belong to heaven

And the stars spell out your name

And it seems to me you lived your life

Like a candle in the wind

Never fading with the sunset

When the rain set in

And your footsteps will always fall here

Along England's greenest hills

Your candle's burned out long before

Your legend ever will

Loveliness we've lost

These empty days without your smile

This torch we'll always carry

For our nation's golden child

And even though we try

The truth brings us to tears

All our words cannot express

The joy you brought us through the years

And it seems to me you lived your life

Like a candle in the wind

Never fading with the sunset

When the rain set in

And your footsteps will always fall here

Along England's greenest hills

Your candle's burned out long before

Your legend ever will

Goodbye England's rose

May you ever grow in our hearts

You were the grace that placed itself

Where lives were torn apart

Goodbye England's rose

From a country lost without your soul

Who'll miss the wings of your compassion

More than you'll ever know

And it seems to me you lived your life

Like a candle in the wind

Never fading with the sunset

When the rain set in

And you footsteps will always fall here

Along England's greenest hills

Your candle's burned out long before

Your legend ever will