(7 Sep 1997) English/Nat
Churchgoers from the parish where Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest said prayers on Sunday in her memory and for her family.
Around 150 worshippers packed into the St Mary the Virgin church in East Haddon, Northamptonshire, to hear a sermon by the Reverend David MacPherson in which he also urged them to pray for Prince Charles and anyone grieving at Diana's loss.
The Union flag flying over the bell tower of the picturesque church in East Haddon was still at half-mast as people gathered for a sung Eucharist service, attended by people from the five churches which surround Althorp Park, the family seat where Diana was laid to rest on Saturday.
The Reverend David MacPherson, the priest in charge of the five churches, told parishioners it had been a "sad week" which featured a "great national outpouring of grief, sadness and disbelief".
The service began with the hymn ''Bind Us Together'', something that would have appealed to Diana.
In his address MacPherson reminded parishioners and those who mourned the Princess that the site of her physical resting place was unimportant.
SOUNDBITE:
To those people throughout the world who would like to come to Great Brington to pay their respects to Diana, Princess of Wales, may I say it to you - she is not here.''
SUPER CAPTION: Reverend David MacPherson, parish priest
SOUNDBITE:
Princess Diana is not at Great Brington church, she is not at Althorp Park. Her mortal remains lie there, she herself is with the Lord in heaven.
SUPER CAPTION: Reverend David MacPherson, parish priest
Large numbers of people continue to flock to the gates of Althorp House to pay tribute to Diana.
Police say mourners started to arrive at around 6am and since then hundreds of people have visited the entrance to the house, which is now carpeted with flowers and cards.
The numbers were so great this morning that police had to erect crush barriers to keep mourners away from cars passing on the main road which runs alongside the gates.
News that Prime Minister Tony Blair had discussed a special ambassadorial role for Diana, was greeted with approval by mourners.
SOUNDBITE:
It's a good idea. Yes. They couldn't have had anybody better.
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop
SOUNDBITE:
Well, it's just a shame she wasn't here to fulfill it. I think it would have been a very good job for a very good person.
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop
Visitors were also continuing to make their way to the parish church in nearby Great Brington this morning, which is also surrounded by floral tributes to Diana.
The Princess's remains were due to have been buried in the Spencer family vault underneath the church.
Earl Spencer changed his mind and decided to bury his sister in the grounds of Althorp because he feared that the church might become a shrine and attract huge numbers of visitors.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
