Preparations for the 10th Anniversary Concert and Memorial Service

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

If it turns out it is not self financing, perhaps the Diana fans should put their hands in their pockets! Although I do not watch a lot on the BBC, they have wasted licence payers money by buying the rights to this concert!

I can't have an opinion about who pays for it because I'm not a British citizen. Maybe I stepped out of bounds with my comment. I just meant that I think it would be a nice gesture if Prince Charles gave something to the fund. I don't expect it or think he needs to, but there I said it. It would be nice, but he does many nice things, and maybe he has done this quietly and privately.

That said, about Camilla attending or not attending, I think she should go if she wants. I hope that she goes. I don't think Diana would have wanted her not to go. No matter what happened in the past, she is her sons' stepmother. She should go. Unless she doesn't want to, but considering how much criticism she would have for not going, I think she will go. If she doesn't go she will be more attacked, I think, than she would if she does go.
She is not insulting anyone's memory, in my opinion, by going. I think Diana would have wanted EVERYONE who could go, to go. Why would she want people divided and unhappy? That doesn't seem like the Diana that most people describe.

[milla Ca]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

That said, about Camilla attending or not attending, I think she should go if she wants. I hope that she goes. I don't think Diana would have wanted her not to go. No matter what happened in the past, she is her sons' stepmother. She should go. Unless she doesn't want to, but considering how much criticism she would have for not going, I think she will go. If she doesn't go she will be more attacked, I think, than she would if she does go.
She is not insulting anyone's memory, in my opinion, by going. I think Diana would have wanted EVERYONE who could go, to go. Why would she want people divided and unhappy? That doesn't seem like the Diana that most people describe.

The question is not open!
Camilla will attend the service. We know that. Everybody can read it on the PoW website.
She is close to William and Harry and her place on this day will be at her husbands side, where else?
I think the only discussion about her presence at the memorial service takes place in TRF...

[sirhon11234]

Too many people are making a big fuss over whether camilla should or shouldn't go to The Princess of Wales' memorial service. If Camilla goes to the memorial its not a problem if she doesen't go its also not a problem. This memorial wasn't meant to see if Camilla was either going or not going to the service. But to remember and honour a good woman who has passed on.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

I can't have an opinion about who pays for it because I'm not a British citizen. Maybe I stepped out of bounds with my comment.

Not at all, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I just see it differently to some other people. I do give to and support a range of charities, that is something I take a decision to do. When my tax gets spent on things I don't agree with, I get a little tetchy and the BBC fee is a tax! If anyone feels that strongley about supporting the concert, I'm sure CH will pass the donations on!

Why would she want people divided and unhappy? That doesn't seem like the Diana that most people describe.

It is very sad that because of some sad, bitter twisted supporters, the memory of the Diana they say they remember is eroded, isn't it!

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by milla Ca

The question is not open!
Camilla will attend the service. We know that. Everybody can read it on the PoW website.
She is close to William and Harry and her place on this day will be at her husbands side, where else?
I think the only discussion about her presence at the memorial service takes place in TRF...

Yeah. I figured it was certain she would attend.I didn't read it on the official site. I was just expressing my belief and support that she surely will attend.
I am glad to learn that I was right. Very glad. It would be terrible if she stayed away out of the shame some quarters might dish out, those who will say that she would not be wanted or whatever. I also hope that her son and daughter will be there, because remember that no matter what happened, Diana loved Tom and Laura!

[sirhon11234]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

Yeah. I figured it was certain she would attend.I didn't read it on the official site. I was just expressing my belief and support that she surely will attend.
I am glad to learn that I was right. Very glad. It would be terrible if she stayed away out of the shame some quarters might dish out, those who will say that she would not be wanted or whatever. I also hope that her son and daughter will be there, because remember that no matter what happened, Diana loved Tom and Laura!

She did? I thoght Diana didn't interact with the Parker Bowles.

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

I'm not sure I agree. Maybe it's not right to expect Prince Charles to pay for it, but I think whatever he contributes would be a nice gesture, for the mother of his sons.

It's nice to see another who shares the same opinion. Someone who isn't caught up in the twisted mêlée of Di vs Cam or Di vs Establishment

[sassie]

Originally Posted by sirhon11234

She did? I thoght Diana didn't interact with the Parker Bowles.

That is my understanding, as well. I've never read anything that indicated Diana even knew Tom and Laura all that well.

[Suonymona]

If Camilla did not want to attend, she would have an excuse.
I think Camilla has nothing to lose by attending. She is a strong, confident person who will look at those people "looking down" on her--right in the eye.

I think that William and Harry are showing respect to both Diana and Camilla by letting the latter grieve for the former and the former to still have her place of honor.

And you're exactly right sirhon. Diana raised her sons to be strong. They are showing that strength by allowing their relationship with Camilla to mature. If it wasn't an event for Diana, I think Diana would approve of them inviting her.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

Someone who isn't caught up in the twisted mêlée of Di vs Cam or Di vs Establishment

My opinion, as stated more than once, has nothing to do with my dislike of Diana. I would feel the same about the expenditure, crocodile tears and fanatacism for any celebrity or member of the British Royal Family. Perhaps it would be a nicer gesture for all the Di fans to contribute!

[CasiraghiTrio]

Skydragon, you made a very good point about contributing to the memorial fund. I'll give something. Where do I sign up?
Besides giving to a good cause, then my convictions about Prince Charles's "nice gestures" might hold some water.

Were not the Parker Bowles kids sometimes meeting with Diana's kids? I thought they were play friends, and that Laura was Prince William's first crush.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

Skydragon, you made a very good point about contributing to the memorial fund. I'll give something. Where do I sign up?
Besides giving to a good cause, then my convictions about Prince Charles's "nice gestures" might hold some water.

Clarence House will accept donations to add to the sum's raised by the concert, I believe. I have no problem with 'nice gesture' as opposed to 'expect'.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by sassie

That is my understanding, as well. I've never read anything that indicated Diana even knew Tom and Laura all that well.

When Charles introduced Diana to the Parker Bowles (that was before they were even engaged), he allegedly said that the Parker Bowles were more of a family to him then the Royal Family. Not just friends, but family. In the biographies of Charles can be read that he used to come to the Parker Bowles when he had troubles, mostly to Camilla, but to Andrew as well and that when he arrived unannounced they took him in, sat him at their kitchen table where he would play with Tom and Laura and simply talk to Andrew or Camilla or both - depending on who was there at the time. In the beginning he took Diana with him, but she didn't like this situation, so made him stop. But she knew the kids, of course.

[sassie]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

Were not the Parker Bowles kids sometimes meeting with Diana's kids? I thought they were play friends, and that Laura was Prince William's first crush.

I don't believe the Princes interacted with Camilla's children until after Diana's death. Remember, they didn't even meet Camilla herself until then.

I have to admit, it gets a bit tiresome to be termed a "fanatic" because I admired Diana. Not everyone who admired her is a fanatic. Quite a few of us saw her clearly as a human being rather than a goddess or a total victim. I don't agree that Camilla should attend her memorial service, simply because it is awkward and her presence will be made a distraction by those who are "fanatics", and that is sad. The day is supposed to be about Diana. Otherwise, I couldn't care less what the Duchess does.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by sassie

I don't believe the Princes interacted with Camilla's children until after Diana's death. Remember, they didn't even meet Camilla herself until then.
I have to admit, it gets a bit tiresome to be termed a "fanatic" because I admired Diana. Not everyone who admired her is a fanatic.

Andrew was closely associated with the Queen. He was the adjutent of the Royal Horse Guards and then the B&R's. He was also the CO of the Household Mounted Cavalry, then Lt. Col Commanding the HC and Silver Stick in Waiting, any one of which would have involved him and his family in social meetings with all the royals. William and Harry would have met Camilla and her children 'unofficially' long before the publicised meeting, they were all members of the same hunt after all. Charles is also godfather to Tom, which would have involved social interaction.
The problem there sassie is that the word 'fan' is an abbreviation of fanatic, (as I am sure you already know). Followers seems to cause as much offense to some, perhaps 'admirer', but then does that mean that the person admired every aspect of her life? Perhaps we need to find a word that means fan but not fanatic. Yes, the day is about remembering Diana, but also a service for those she left behind - her son's and shouldn't their want's, need's and wishes be paramount?

[Charlotte1]

Diana certainly knew the Parker-Bowles children from a young age. When she was dating Charles, he had just bought Highrove and was 'camping' there on weekends with his staff ( who didn't enjoy it!) As it was a bit rough for Diana to stay there so she stayed nearby with the Andrew and Camilla Parker-Bowles ( and their children) as a weekend guest. Charles stayed at Highgrove.( From Stephen Barry's book, he was valet to Charles and a staff member who didn't enjoy 'camping' at Highgrove!)

Andrew Parker Bowles was close to Princess Anne ( and still is) and the Queen Mother, both of whom attended his wedding to Camilla.

Before the Andrew Morton book outed Camilla as Charles's mistress, the Parker Bowles family mixed with the royals quite a bit. The Queen, the Queen Mother and the princes knew her quite well. It was only afterwards that there appeared to be no or little contact.