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From:
"Travers C. Koerner" <[log in to unmask]>
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Date:
Wed, 3 Sep 1997 08:21:17 -0500
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The funeral: Royal aides believe a song by the   Lead story
  rock star may set wrong tone, reports Valerie
                     Elliott
         The Princess with Elton John at
               Versace's funeral
 
   Friends at odds with Palace on singing part
                 for Elton John
 
  DIFFERENCES of opinion over the final details
  for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales,
  have emerged between Buckingham Palace and the
  Spencer family, particularly over whether
  Elton John should be invited to sing.
 
  Buckingham Palace will decide today whether to
  invite the singer to contribute on Saturday. -
  There is growing pressure for him to do so
  from friends of the Princess. Only last month
  the Princess was seen by millions of
  television viewers comforting the singer at
  the funeral of Gianni Versace, the designer,
  who was a friend of both.
                                                   wedding . .
  The debate over John's appearance has            .
  underlined the difficulty in melding an
  occasion that has the dignity of a traditional
  royal event with meeting the public's
  expectations. The decision is to be taken
  today at the Palace at the daily meeting of
  officials chaired by the Lord Chamberlain, the
  Earl of Airlie.
 
  But the organisers face a dilemma. A senior
  royal source said last night that the funeral
  arrangements must meet four clear but
  potentially conflicting objectives: dignity
  for such a formal occasion; informality to
  satisfy public opinion and reflect the
  Princess's personality; the views of both:
  families; and the maintenance of tradition.
                                                   will carry
  The involvement of Elton John was discussed by
  the committee for the first time yesterday.
  There was no outright objection but officials
  made clear they were anxious that it might not
  set the right tone. Last night they were
  taking further soundings from both families.
  It was not clear if John might be asked to
  sing a traditional hymn or one of his own
  compositions.
 
  Earl Spencer is expected to read the lesson at
  Westminster Abbey. Discussions were continuing
  with Martin Neary, the Westminster Abbey
  organist and master of choristers, over the
  musical content. The choir, children and
  adults, will have a central role.
 
  A friend of the Princess pressing for the
  inclusion of a more modern element said: "At
  the moment it will be a pretty formal affair.
  There are some people who feel it ought to be
  presented in a slightly different way. In
  other words, we want to incorporate the spirit
  of Diana."
 
  The line-up expected at today's meeting will
  include Lord Airlie; Sir Robert Fellowes, the
  Queen's Private Secretary who is married to
  the Princess's elder sister, Lady Jane; Penny
  Russell-Smith, deputy press secretary to the
  Queen; Mark Bolland, assistant private
  secretary to the Prince of Wales; Sandy
  Henney, the Prince of Wales's press secretary;
  and Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Ross, the
  Comptroller responsible for co-ordinating the
  arrangements.
 
  Soundings were still being taken last night
  about the choice of hymns and prayers with
  members of the Royal Family at Balmoral, and
  with Lord Spencer, Lady Jane Fellowes, and the
  Princess's other sister, Lady Sarah
  McCorquodale. Robin Janvrin, the deputy
  private secretary to the Queen, and Stephen
  Lamport, the Prince of Wales's private
  secretary, are staying at Balmoral this week
  and liaising with officials in London. Lord
  Spencer has been to see Lord Airlie about the
  arrangements.
 
  Another close confidant of the Princess said:
  "I hope that the organisers are listening to
  Lady Sarah because she really was the closest
  to Diana. They were always so happy together
  and she would know exactly what Diana would
  want."
 
  A spokesman for Elton John confirmed that the
  singer would be attending the funeral but said
  they had received no formal approach from the
  Palace or the Spencer family about the
  possibility of him singing.
 
  Details of the family burial at the Church of
  St Mary the Virgin in Great Brington,
  Northamptonshire, were being closely guarded.
 
  The first invitations to the funeral service
  were made by telephone yesterday. Among the
  guests will be four former Prime Ministers:
  Sir Edward Heath, Lord Callaghan of Cardiff,
  Baroness Thatcher and John Major. It was
  unclear whether Mohamed Al Fayed, the owner of
  Harrods, whose son Dodi was killed in the
  crash, will attend.
 
  Lord Attenborough, the film director, who was
  instrumental in encouraging the Princess to
  head the anti-landmines crusade; Lord Deedes,
  former Editor of The Daily Telegraph, who has
  accompanied the Princess on anti-landmines
  trips overseas are also likely to be invited.
 
  Wayne Sleep, the dancer, and friends such as
  Sir David Frost, the televison interviewer,
  and Clive James, the broadcaster, are also
  believed to be included. It is understood that
  the Princess's Christmas card list was used to
  select members of the congregation.

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