Did camilla attend Princess Diana’s funeral?

Charles, Camilla, and the entire Royal Family’s lives were changed by this tragic turn of events. During the 1997 summer break, Charles was spending some special time with his sons at the family’s vacation home in Balmoral, Scotland. The following day, Princess Diana was scheduled to pick them up on her way home from France.

After that, the shocking news broke. Diana was fatally hurt in a car accident in the Pont de L’Alma road tunnel in Paris as she was leaving the Ritz Hotel with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed. The horrifying collision also claimed the lives of Dodi and the driver, Henri Paul, who was later discovered to have been intoxicated.

Scene of the car accident in a central Parisian underpass. Princess Diana passed away in a hospital in Paris; the driver, Dodi Al Fayed, and her companion also perished in the collision.

There was only one person Charles could turn to for comfort as the scope of the tragedy became clear after learning that Diana had died: Camilla. As usual, Charles found “great comfort” in her words as the rest of the world awoke to the terrible news.

Between the two women in Charles’ life, there was undying love. However, Camilla was the only person who truly understood the devastating impact Diana’s passing would have on her sons and how Charles would be scrutinized. She secretly worried that the outpouring of grief over the passing of the well-liked Princess would endanger her soaring hopes of living a public life with Charles after years of skulking in the background.

On July 18, the previous month, Charles had made the monumental decision to host Camilla’s 50th birthday celebration at his Highgrove home. He had even informed photographers to capture her arrival as well as her departure the following morning through his friends. In order for Camilla to live in a manner befitting a royal mistress, the Prince had covertly started giving her an annual allowance. Even his employees were sent to do her grocery shopping.

Did Camilla attend Princess Diana’s funeral?

Although Camilla attended Diana’s wedding, she was not allowed to attend her funeral, which was broadcast to an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.

However, her absence was felt by many in the old hall. Charles was explicitly told by the Queen that he could not bring his paramour to the service. This time, even the obstinate heir acknowledged that it was impossible. Camilla was dealing with the full wrath of a public that had never really warmed to her or realized the smitten prince’s fascination with her, while Diana was remembered as a saint. Camilla returned to hiding in the days and weeks that followed as Diana’s disastrous marriage was brought back to life in every last detail. Charles initially appeared to be forced to choose between giving her up or renunciation his right to the throne, much like his great-uncle the Duke of Windsor had done for Wallis Simpson.