Text of the Speech
of H.R.M.,
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen of the
United Kingdom of
Great Britain
on 5 September, 1997
Regarding the Death of the Princess of Wales
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
"Since last Sunday's dreadful news, we have seen through-out 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 the 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. 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 committment 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. I, for one, believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life, and
from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death. I share in your determination to
cherish her memory. This is also an opportunity for me, on behalf of my family, and especially
Prince Charles and William and Harry, to thank all of you who have brought flowers, sent
messages, and paid your respects in so many ways, to a remarkable person. These acts of
kindness have been a huge source of help and comfort. Our thoughts are also with Diana's
family, and the families of those who died with her. I know that they too have drawn strength
from what has happened since last weekend, as they seek to heal their sorrow and then to face
the future without a loved one. I hope that tomorrow, we can all, wherever we are, join in
expressing our grief at Diana's loss, and gratitude for her all too short life. It is a chance to show
to the whole world the British nation united in grief and respect. May those who died rest in
peace, and may we, each and every one of us, thank God for someone who made many, many
people happy."