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The Thanksgiving Service for Diana, Princess of Wales takes place at the Guards' Chapel

30th August 2007

Prince Harry today paid a moving tribute to his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and described her as the ‘best mother in the world’.

On behalf of Prince William and himself, Prince Harry spoke about their mother and called her their ‘guardian, friend and protector’.

The Prince was speaking at the Thanksgiving Service for Diana, Princess of Wales at the Guards' Chapel in Wellington Barracks, London.

At the end of his speech, which he had written himself, Prince Harry said:  "Put simply, she made us and so many other people happy. May this be the way that she is remembered."

Prince William read Ephesians Chapter 3, verses 14 to 21, and The Princess's sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale read text by J.S. Hoyland (1887 – 1957) from The Bridge is Love, An Anthology of Hope collected by Lady Elizabeth Bassett. 

The hour-long service was attended by Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, other members of the Royal Family and members of the Spencer family including The Princess’s other siblings, Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes.

Friends, former staff and representatives of the late Princess’s charities were also invited to attend the personal service which was organised by William and Harry to give thanks for their mother's life which was cut tragically short 10 years ago today.

Notable figures in the guest list include The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major.

Some of the well-known friends of The Princess at the service included Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Mario Testino, Bryan Adams, Wayne Sleep and Lord Attenborough.

The service was conducted by the Reverend Patrick Irwin, Chaplain to the Household Division, and included two prayers specially written for the occasion by Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as an address by the Bishop of London, The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Dr. Richard Chartres.

In his address, The Bishop of London, who is Dean of the Chapels Royal, focused on The Princess’s work with the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.

The music during the service was chosen to reflect The Princess’s tastes, and includes some of her favourite pieces such as Rachmaninov’s “O Virgin Mother of God rejoice” taken from The Vespers. Other anthems included Mozart’s motet “Ave verum corpus” and Faure’s “In paradisum”.

Four hymns were included in the service, with tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

They are “Be Thou My Vision” to the traditional Irish melody “Slane”, “The Lord’s My Shepherd” to the very well known Scottish tune “Crimond”, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer” to the Welsh classic “Cwm Rhondda” and finally, “I Vow To Thee, My Country” proved a rousing climax to the service.

Click here to view a video of Prince Harry's reading on the BBC website.  You will need Real Player to view this clip.

Click here for the readings by Prince William, Prince Harry, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and The Bishop of London. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file.

Click here to read the Order of Service and here to view the Press Pack from the Thanksgiving Service for Diana, Princess of Wales. You will need Adobe Reader to view these files.