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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Camilla pulls out of Diana event | Camilla pulls out of Diana event |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Duchess of Cornwall has decided against attending a memorial service for the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, Clarence House said. | The Duchess of Cornwall has decided against attending a memorial service for the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, Clarence House said. |
| Camilla had accepted her invitation by Princes William and Harry to the event. | Camilla had accepted her invitation by Princes William and Harry to the event. |
| But she has now pulled out of Friday's service, fearing her attendance "could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion". | But she has now pulled out of Friday's service, fearing her attendance "could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion". |
| The hour-long service will be held by Buckingham Palace, in the Guard's Chapel in London's Wellington Barracks. | The hour-long service will be held by Buckingham Palace, in the Guard's Chapel in London's Wellington Barracks. |
| The Duchess is said to have talked at length with Prince Charles and her family about whether she should attend the thanksgiving service. | The Duchess is said to have talked at length with Prince Charles and her family about whether she should attend the thanksgiving service. |
| Difficult decision | Difficult decision |
| In a statement explaining her decision, Camilla said she was "touched" at her invitation from Princes William and Harry. | In a statement explaining her decision, Camilla said she was "touched" at her invitation from Princes William and Harry. |
| Camilla said her presence could 'divert attention' from the event | |
| "I accepted and wanted to support them," she said. | "I accepted and wanted to support them," she said. |
| "However, on reflection I believe my attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion which is to focus on the life and service of Diana." | "However, on reflection I believe my attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion which is to focus on the life and service of Diana." |
| "I'm grateful to my husband, William and Harry for supporting my decision." An aide said: "It was never going to be an easy decision either way." | "I'm grateful to my husband, William and Harry for supporting my decision." An aide said: "It was never going to be an easy decision either way." |
| Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the Queen, told the BBC the Duchess of Cornwall should have acted earlier. | Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to the Queen, told the BBC the Duchess of Cornwall should have acted earlier. |
| "It could have quite simply been done right at the very beginning when the idea was first mooted to have a service, with a short statement saying the Duchess of Cornwall would love to support her husband, would love to support William and Harry, but she feels that it was inappropriate to attend. | "It could have quite simply been done right at the very beginning when the idea was first mooted to have a service, with a short statement saying the Duchess of Cornwall would love to support her husband, would love to support William and Harry, but she feels that it was inappropriate to attend. |
| "That would have been the story of the day. It would have been done and dusted ... without all this shilly-shallying, all the way up to the memorial service, which is literally five days away." | "That would have been the story of the day. It would have been done and dusted ... without all this shilly-shallying, all the way up to the memorial service, which is literally five days away." |
| Around 500 guests are expected at the thanksgiving service, including more than 30 royals and celebrities such as Sir Elton John, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | Around 500 guests are expected at the thanksgiving service, including more than 30 royals and celebrities such as Sir Elton John, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| Princes William and Harry are to give readings along with Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale. | Princes William and Harry are to give readings along with Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale. |
| Princess Diana died, aged 36 - along with her companion Dodi Al Fayed, 42, and chauffeur Henri Paul - when the Mercedes they were in crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris on 31 August 1997. |