When Princess Diana’s funeral took place 28 years ago today, the late Queen broke one major centuries-old rule out of respect for her tragic former daughter-in-law
Princess Diana was laid to rest 28 years ago today, with her funeral drawing thousands of people to the streets of London, while the Royal Family paid their respects to the princess.
Diana tragically died on August 31, 1997, at just 36 years of age, after being seriously injured in a devastating car crash in Paris. Just one week later, 32.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the funeral procession.
As the royal family gathered outside Westminster Abbey for Princess Diana ’s procession, the late Queen broke a centuries-old royal rule for the first time during her reign as a sign of respect to the princess.
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As is tradition, members of the royal family, royal staff and anyone else lucky enough to find themselves in the presence of the monarch, you must bow or courtesy. As such, the monarch bows to no one.
However, the Queen bowed her head as the cortege passed, shocking many onlookers as she unexpectedly lowered her head and humbly honoured the princess.
Body language expert Judi James decoded the heartfelt action as she told the Daily Mail : “It wasn’t a hollow gesture in the public’s eyes. Diana might have been dead, but her two sons were very much alive, and they got to see their mother elevated to the high position the adoring public held her in.
“While some of the royals retained a poker face, with Margaret in particular raising one eyebrow and her chin in an expression that suggested some cynicism, the Queen’s facial expression looked like one of maternal sadness.
“Her brows were puckered, her gaze reflective and her mouth clamped. For a monarch known for not having any fluctuations in her body language, this was already a surprise. But what she did next was even more shocking.
“As the coffin passed, the Queen lowered her head. This gesture was and still is powerful for two key reasons.
“Firstly is to do with protocol and status. As monarch, the Queen was not expected to lower her head to virtually anyone. By bowing her head to Diana, the Queen was signalling respect and even a sense of equal status. It was as though she finally recognised that Diana should have been Queen one day and that her son would be king.”
Judi went on to explain that the way in which the Queen bowed her head was also significant, saying: “It was a very personal message from one woman to another and it seemed to be an acknowledgement ritual.
“Even in death Diana had forced the Queen into some form of royal U-Turn and it was as though the Queen was acknowledging an acceptance of Diana’s power and the love the public had for her. It seemed to declare a non-verbal draw and an acceptance of equal status and respect.”
While the late Queen bowed every year to the unknown soldier on Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph, her bow to Diana is understood to be the first time she had bowed to an individual during her time on the throne.
