Run-up to the inquest into Diana's death

[maryshawn]

He has his own website?????!!!!!!!

I understand your feelings Sammy.

 

[maryshawn]

From what I've read on this discussion--and, yes, it's been thought provoking but pleasantly so.....I think we can all agree that showing the photos of P Diana in the backseat of the car as NBC (I believe) did a year ago was just wrong! I thought an agreement had been reached between all parties and the media that no photos of a dying Princess would ever be published. And yet there they were on this "investigation" led by a reporter who was just out for the ratings (and, yes, it was broadcast during "sweeps" when the media gets its score on who is being watched by more people......). I didn't realize there would be photos and didn't even know there was a program on it till I happened upon it while changing channels. I was repulsed and offended and I can't tell you much more about the show because I turned it off. Now, who, apart from the network broadcasting it, "wins" with such garbage? I don't know if anyone else caught it or what your thoughts are if you saw it. But I can honestly say I was dumfounded when the two photos were shown of P Diana slumped in the back of the car--and, yes, her face could be clearly seen! Revolting!

CasiraghiTrio (I love the name BTW) when investigative agencies do their job properly, they disrupt the lives of a lot of people. For that reason, its irresponsible (and in some cases criminal) for them to open an investigation without just cause and that usually means relevant and reliable evidence.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

he said he felt she was extremely interested in everything he had to say and had a way of fixing her gaze on one which was so compelling and memorable.

Thankyou for your story! I loved reading it. The present Queen has a distinct way of dealing with the public. When she speaks, she repeats the answer people give her. For example;

HM : And what do you do?
Bill : I take photographs for the company Ma'am
HM : Photographs? And are they used in a book?
Bill : In a catalogue Ma'am and we send it out all over the world
HM : How fascinating

And then she moves on. If they continue to talk once she's finished with them, she will repeat, "How fascinating" or she'll say, "Very Good" and laugh as she wanders to the next person. It's a method that means everyone feels she's taken in every word they said and it's a great way. She varies it slightly if she's shaking hands in a line up but it's a good base card to play. Generally, that dialogue lasts only 50 seconds and she spends 5 seconds shaking hands, 2 accepting the bow or curtsey and the other 2 are there in case - that way she spends a minute with each and its fair. I was told this by a former staff member of the Palace who said he was amazed at how she got away with it every time! Apparantly, she learned it from the Queen Mother.

 

[maryshawn]

Thank you; I loved hearing stories of my grandfather's time in Great Britain, particularly the stories of the meetings with the King and Queen--and oh how he admired the present Queen for pitching in and driving lorries! He said she had "exquisite manners" but also "a real twinkle in her eye" and was easy going and obviously someone with a real sense of humor!

I love your story about how the Queen manages to go around and make people feel they have been heard when she mingles. I'm sure she learned from her mother, who was so skilled and had such a way of touching people with her words and actions and bearing. It makes sense. People go away feeling they've had a very good conversation with her because she picks up on something they are saying. What a pleasant way to handle meeting a vast number of people, yet making them feel they all matter!

I've loved the Queen Mother thanks to my grandfather but also when I heard of things she said during the war, encouraging people to keep their heads up. I don't recall exact details but when she visited a place dressed up with a pearl necklace, didn't she counter questions about her attire with a brilliant rejoinder along the lines of "well, this is how they would dress to see me were they to visit my house?" And then she said something about her humility when she was with people who had endured yet another strike which demolished many homes and taken lives. Does anyone recall her remark?

Thank you for this. It's fascinating!

Thankyou for your story! I loved reading it. The present Queen has a distinct way of dealing with the public. When she speaks, she repeats the answer people give her. For example;

HM : And what do you do?
Bill : I take photographs for the company Ma'am
HM : Photographs? And are they used in a book?
Bill : In a catalogue Ma'am and we send it out all over the world
HM : How fascinating

And then she moves on. If they continue to talk once she's finished with them, she will repeat, "How fascinating" or she'll say, "Very Good" and laugh as she wanders to the next person. It's a method that means everyone feels she's taken in every word they said and it's a great way. She varies it slightly if she's shaking hands in a line up but it's a good base card to play. Generally, that dialogue lasts only 50 seconds and she spends 5 seconds shaking hands, 2 accepting the bow or curtsey and the other 2 are there in case - that way she spends a minute with each and its fair. I was told this by a former staff member of the Palace who said he was amazed at how she got away with it every time! Apparantly, she learned it from the Queen Mother.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

And then she said something about her humility when she was with people who had endured yet another strike which demolished many homes and taken lives. Does anyone recall her remark?

I think that was when she said, "Well, I can now look the East-End in the Face" or words to that effect. Of the Royals I've met, I've always got butterflies and it's something that takes a while for you to come down. They make you feel as if they have only come to see you and they look you straight in the eye and make direct contact - it's inspirational really.

 

[tiaraprin]

These two groups of people are filling a need in each other, and I don't think this is going to stop any time soon.

As one of Diana's staunchest supporters, I have never supported a conspiracy theory. As of yet, I have seen no conclusive evidence to suggest such a thing. While I have said I wouldn't put it past the MI5, there still is no proof.

I also want to correct what Diana's name was at her death. She is being constantly being referred to as Diana Spencer, as if to erase that she was once a member of the Royal Family. At the inquest, Her name was read out to be Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor. If we wish to be techincal, they could have added, "nee Spencer" to it, but her last name was Mountbatten-Windsor at the time of her death despite the divorce. She was not stripped of the surname.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

I also want to correct what Diana's name was at her death

She lost her titles on divorce, the Princess of Wales part she used was by personal choice. She would have lost it when Charles married Camilla. To me, she was no longer Royal when she died and therefore her name was Diana Spencer and that is how I shall refer to her.

 

[tiaraprin]

She lost her titles on divorce, the Princess of Wales part she used was by personal choice. She would have lost it when Charles married Camilla. To me, she was no longer Royal when she died and therefore her name was Diana Spencer and that is how I shall refer to her.

That does not make it correct. One must stick to the facts, not conveniently throw out what one doesn't like. A woman does not lose her married name upon divorce unless she chooses to relinquish it or remarries herself.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

That does not make it correct. One must stick to the facts, not conveniently throw out what one doesn't like.

She betrayed the family and she had no right to bear the family name or any other titles. It was a charade for her to use the title Princess of Wales in the way she did and it's a charade that Camilla doesn't use the title Princess of Wales.

 

[Warren]

Enough!

I am declaring a cease-fire and will now clear the field of wounded and deceased posts.

Warren
British Forums Moderator

 

[tiaraprin]

You can just can't leave it alone can you?

As as has been stated before, I have a right to my opinion and I will fight for my opinion. I will not back down from what I truly feel in my mind and heart.

Again, let us get back to Diana!!


Sorry Warren, I posted before I saw your post. I apologize to you.

 

[maryshawn]

That's the quote! I think you have it exactly! It was said she won the hearts of all East enders and the British public--and many in the world--with that remark! I have the feeling I would be rendered incapable of speaking were I to come face to face with the Queen. Although she likely runs into a lot of people like me who would start just stammering or be rendered mute!

I think that was when she said, "Well, I can now look the East-End in the Face" or words to that effect. Of the Royals I've met, I've always got butterflies and it's something that takes a while for you to come down. They make you feel as if they have only come to see you and they look you straight in the eye and make direct contact - it's inspirational really.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

Although she likely runs into a lot of people like me who would start just stammering or be rendered mute!

Lol. I thought I'd freeze and I had a big fear that I'd curtsey. Some men do, because they are in a line-up of ladies who curtsey and they are so overcome that they bob. Thank God I didn't but it's all a bit unreal.

 

[Noelle9982]

I feel like Paul Burrell's fifteen minutes of fame is up and has been for quite some time.

I really don't think Charles wanted anything but to be with Camilla from the beginning. He had his divorce and he had to have known that Diana's death only would have sealed her fate as an icon, a legend thus greatening the divide between Diana supporters vs. Charles supporters even more. It just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[maryshawn]

Curtsey? I hadn't even thought of that. I'd fall over. I can't remember which celebrity tried to curtsey to the Queen once and was shaking so hard, I think the Queen had to grip her hand hard and pull her up! This was about ten years ago and I still remember thinking "that's what I'd do!" Margaret Trudeau has a similar story about the Queen and how she tried to execute a lovely, deep curtsey when they met, and froze. She said the smile on the Queen's face never wavered; she just stiffened her grip and helped Margaret rise up....I thought that was a cute story!

Lol. I thought I'd freeze and I had a big fear that I'd curtsey. Some men do, because they are in a line-up of ladies who curtsey and they are so overcome that they bob. Thank God I didn't but it's all a bit unreal.

 

[Elspeth]

She lost her titles on divorce, the Princess of Wales part she used was by personal choice. She would have lost it when Charles married Camilla. To me, she was no longer Royal when she died and therefore her name was Diana Spencer and that is how I shall refer to her.

She may not have been royal, but she wasn't Diana Spencer. When Wallis Simpson was about to marry the Duke of Windsor, she decided to change her name back to Warfield (her maiden name) and had to take legal steps to do so. I think it would be appropriate to call people by their correct names on this board, and Diana's correct name after her divorce was Diana, Princess of Wales. Just calling her Diana is also fine. Princess Diana is at least OK since she was a princess and "Diana, Princess of Wales" is a bit cunbersome. Calling her Diana Spencer is not. It's simply confusing unless you happen to be referring to her before marriage.

 

[tiaraprin]

She may not have been royal, but she wasn't Diana Spencer. When Wallis Simpson was about to marry the Duke of Windsor, she decided to change her name back to Warfield (her maiden name) and had to take legal steps to do so. I think it would be appropriate to call people by their correct names on this board, and Diana's correct name after her divorce was Diana, Princess of Wales. Just calling her Diana is also fine. Calling her Diana Spencer is not.

Thank you Elspeth.

 

[Elspeth]

You're welcome. The same goes, by the way, for people who think that Camilla isn't fit to be a member of the royal family and refer to her as Camilla Parker Bowles.

 

[Noelle9982]

Camilla's official title now is Camilla, Dutchess of Cornwall, correct?

 

[Elspeth]

It's HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, as far as I know. She's also Princess of Wales, of course, but since she's chosen not to use the title, there's no reason for us to do so either when referring to her in general conversation.

 

[CasiraghiTrio]

It's HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, as far as I know. She's also Princess of Wales, of course, but since she's chosen not to use the title, there's no reason for us to do so either when referring to her in general conversation.

I'm glad she's the Princess of Wales officially and she's only chosen to use the Cornwall title. I was really freaked out when it came out Camilla would be only "Duchess of Cornwall" because denying her her husband's most senior title makes no sense whatsoever. A wife takes her husband's title no matter what, regardless of any other circumstances. But now I know she did take all his titles, as she rightfully should do, and only chose to use her Cornwall title out of respect for the first wife, that makes me feel better. I'm not bothered about it anymore. It really did bother me! So thanks, elspeth, for that explanation.

 

[Sammy]

LOL!!!
Must milk that 15 minutes!!!
http://www.paulburrellrvm.com/index.html

He has his own website?????!!!!!!!

 

[Mippy O]

I feel sorry for all of the royals; I think the letter was yet another one of Diana's bids for sympathy and attention. She was her own worst enemy, and I don't believe anyone would have been bothered trying to kill her, least of all her poor husband. And I do wish that Paul Burrell would take his 15 minutes of fame and just go away. He has been living off Diana's corpse ever since she died. He is a vulgar and disgusting man.

 

[Noelle9982]

This guy is really milkin' it! Can you imagine how Harry and William must feel? They have to want to put this all to rest and move on by now, it's almost ten years later!

 

[maryshawn]

Oh my God! He does have his own site!!!! Thank you for the link.....I think. I did want to reach across the internet miles and strangle him but forced myself to read some of it. A tribute to her son's birthday!!!! What a cretin. He knows they have no regard for him and this obvious self-promotion using them is something I find particularly heinous!

LOL!!!
Must milk that 15 minutes!!!
http://www.paulburrellrvm.com/index.html

 

[BeatrixFan]

Re:

And how common to use RVM after his name in the web address. That should have been taken away by now for a start.

 

[Warren]

Another thing I noticed about Burrell's website: he describes himself as "former Royal Butler to Diana" whereas the use of "former Butler" would have been less self-aggrandising.

And look! He's even written his own story on Prince William and Kate Middleton. No doubt designed to give the impression that he still has the inside running on what is going on behind the Palace walls. How many years ago did he leave Royal service? Very icky.

 

[Duchess]

He even threw in his two cents worth on the Charles and Camilla wedding.

 

[maryshawn]

A Return Visit to Paul the Butler's Website

I had to go back and look, in horror, at this self-serving site. I would like to know how many people actually read his stories about Kate and William, Harry's 21st birthday, Charles and Camilla, ad infinitum and give them any credence. (I noticed the "Royal" in the Butler title, too; he needs to let that one go).

But the really telling part of Paul the Butler's website is the "Letters" section. ALL of them tell him how wonderful he is, how brave, how much they've learned, God bless, Godspeed, ad infinitum...... I had the bizarre feeling Paul was writing these letters himself. There was not one negative word to be found about him nor his book. As one would assume, given the law of averages, a letter may have popped up at some point, chastening him, it would seem Burrell "tweaks" his site and filters out anything which isn't laudatory. Is it any wonder we question his credibility? He clearly can't abide or present a balanced view! Well, that was my second and last visit to his site.

BTW, his Halloween photo section is not reason enough to visit.

 

[susan alicia]

in the papers today:

Diana death inquiry 'more complex than we thought'

By John Steele
(Filed: 28/01/2006)
The police inquiry into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales is "far more complex than any of us thought", said Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner, who is heading the investigation.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/28/ndiana28.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/28/ixnewstop.html