'Complete silence' filled Princess Diana's funeral after Earl Spencer's remarks on Royal Family

Niti MajethiaSat, August 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC

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Princess Diana's funeral drew an unprecedented amount of grief from Britain and the rest of the world -Credit:DAILY MIRROR

London fell into darkness on September 6, 1997, as Princess Diana's funeral drew an unprecedented amount of grief from Britain and the rest of the world.

Crowds lined the streets and millions tuned in to bid farewell to one of the most famous women in the world. Ken Wharfe, Princess Diana's former personal protection officer who also oversaw security at her funeral, called the gruesome event "one of the most heart-wrenching things I've ever been involved in."

In an exclusive interview with The Mirror US, the royal insider looked back on the shock of her death that brought the whole world to a standstill. "You could perhaps have imagined Diana dying as the result of an assassination attempt, given who she was, but not in a road traffic accident," he said. "For me, that made it particularly difficult." Wharfe has also reflected on how Princess Diana went against the 'traditional royal approach' in Kensington Palace.

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Wharfe, in partnership with Casino.org, revealed to the Mirror US that Diana's funeral was an "extraordinary occasion."

"I was given responsibility for the internal security at Westminster Abbey from the policing perspective, and I spent several days there ahead of the funeral," he shared, adding that it entailed "a combination of policing, security, and so forth."

"It remains one of the biggest operations I've ever been involved with," he added.

Reflecting on a moment that has stayed with him, he noted that Earl Spencer's "very critical speech about the Royal Family and the paparazzi" left the audience absolutely stunned and silent.

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Princess Diana is still one of the world's most famous women -Credit:Getty

"Inside the Abbey, there was complete silence, but because the service was being relayed to the crowds outside, there suddenly came this sound. The best way I can describe it is like dry leaves falling onto a tin roof. What it actually was was the applause of the thousands of people gathered outside, responding to what Spencer had said," he reflected.

Wharfe added that over 80 protected heads of state were in attendance, alongside Diana's family and friends.

Additionally, Elton John performed a special version of Candle in the Wind, which was also "an extraordinary moment."

Elton John performed a special version of Candle in the Wind at the funeral -Credit:Getty Images

The royal insider also gave insight into life in Kensington Palace while Prince Harry and Prince William were growing up.

He said that William and Harry "could certainly be naughty", but they were "also incredibly polite."

"If Diana ever heard them make a rude comment to anyone, she'd immediately say, 'Go and apologize," he claimed.

Additionally, Kharfe reiterated that there was a "real sense of normal family life" at Kensington Palace, especially while Prince Harry and Prince William were growing up.

He shared, "I remember one Filipino lady who cleaned the nursery. She was a wonderful woman and probably put up with more than her fair share from the boys while trying to do her job. But they respected her, and they were always taught to apologize if they'd overstepped the mark."

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