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Privacy NoticeThe sudden passing of Diana, Princess of Wales, sparked a wave of grief and mourning that was completely unprecedented. An estimated 60 million bouquets were left in memory of Diana at locations such as Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and her ancestral home, Althorp House in Northamptonshire. At the time of the tragic news on 31 August 2007, the Royal Family were on holiday at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, where they remained for several days to support Prince William and Prince Harry. This decision would have severe repercussions as public anger grew over their perceived lack of public recognition and response to her death.
The family were in Scotland and eventually returned to London after the public reaction
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
It was soon decided that several gestures were needed to regain public favour – one of which has influenced royal protocol for the 25 years since Diana’s death. From the first monarch’s residence at Buckingham Palace until Diana’s funeral on September 6, 1997, it was tradition for the Royal Standard to be flown over the palace when the monarch was in residence. When Diana passed away, The Queen was at Balmoral Castle, which is why there was no flag flying over Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II returned to London before the funeral
(Image: Getty Images)
However, increasing public resentment towards The Firm became louder, with many expressing the belief that a flag should be flown at half-mast to honour the late princess. This move was completely unprecedented and had never been done before when the likes of King George V and King George VI passed away. The Queen eventually gave in and allowed the Union Flag to be flown at half-mast over Buckingham Palace on the day of Diana’s funeral.
The Union Flag flying at half mast over Buckingham Palace on the day of Diana’s funeral in September 1997
(Image: Getty Images)
This break from tradition changed royal protocol as the Union Flag now flies above the palace whenever The Queen is not in residence. It is then switched to the royal Standard when she is there. In the years that followed, the flag has been lowered to half-mast to mark the death of The Queen Mother in 2002, the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the July 7 London bombings in 2005. However, lowering the flag is not the only way that The Queen broke with royal tradition following Diana’s death. While the monarch delivers her Christmas speech every year, she has only appeared on TV to share a personal message on a few occasions – and one of those times was on September 5, 1997.
Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation from Buckingham Palace
(Image: Getty)
Standing in front of a window at Buckingham Palace so that the crowd could be seen behind her, The Queen delivered a speech paying tribute to Diana’s life and legacy. She said: “Since last Sunday’s dreadful news we have seen, throughout Britain and around the world, an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana’s death. “We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger – and concern for those who remain.
Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales the day before her funeral
(Image: Getty Images)
“We have all felt those emotions in these last few days. So what I say to you now, as your Queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart. First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her – for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.” “This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered. No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPrince HarryPrince WilliamPrincess DianaRoyal FamilyQueen Elizabeth IIBuckingham Palace
