The Little-Known Letter Queen Elizabeth II Wrote After Princess Diana’s Death
Her heartfelt words reveal just how devastated she and her family really were.
When news broke about Princess Diana’s tragic death on August 31, 1997, the entire world mourned her loss. Cards, notes and flowers flooded into London from across the globe as people paid their condolences to the British royals. (Here’s what Kensington Palace looked like right after Princess Diana’s death.) And yet, Queen Elizabeth II remained quiet at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with her grandsons, Prince William, 15, and Prince Harry, 12. Many critics accused her of appearing detached and aloof at a time of tragedy. But a little-known letter that she wrote reveals the Queen felt anything but detached. (Here’s how Queen Elizabeth found out about Princess Diana’s death.)
Six days after Princess Diana’s death, the Queen wrote to one of her closest aides, Lady Henriette Abel Smith. Her heartfelt words offer a rare glimpse into the Queen’s other role: a grandmother consoling her grieving grandsons.
“It was indeed dreadfully sad, and she is a huge loss to the country. But the public reaction to her death, and the service in the Abbey, seem to have united people round the world in a rather inspiring way. William and Harry have been so brave and I am very proud of them,” Queen Elizabeth wrote. “Emotions are still so mixed up but we have all been through a very bad experience!”
Those close to her have revealed even more insights into Her Majesty’s seemingly cold reaction to Diana’s death. “She was being a proper granny. What was the point of bringing the boys down to sit in London with nothing to do but sit there feeling sad about mum?” Margaret Rhodes, the queen’s cousin and close friend told CNN in 2012. “Personally, I think I would have behaved in the same way.”
Queen Elizabeth II finally broke her silence during a live broadcast from Buckingham Palace the night before Princess Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey. “[Diana] was an exceptional and gifted human being,” Queen Elizabeth said. “In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.”
Next, check out 20 rarely seen photos of Princess Diana.
