WHEREIN lies the blame for the tragic death of Princess Diana?

Was it with the paparazzi, whose motorbikes surrounded her car? Was it with the driver of the car, who drove at over 100 mph with a bottle of wine inside him?

Perhaps it was the loveless marriage which drove her to divorce and into the arms of Dodi Fayed, or maybe it was Prince Charles's upbringing, raised by a nanny and sent to boarding school, taught to keep a stiff upper lip and never to betray emotions. Where does the guilt end?

When I heard of Diana's death and the manner of it, I wept for my own quiet and complicity.

I reminded myself that only recently, when she said she might leave this country, I cynically thought and said she never would while the British taxpayer paid for her lavish lifestyle.

As a Christian, when had I last prayed for her or for any of the Royal Family?

I pray now that some of Diana's naturalness and compassion may have rubbed off on Prince William and that one day we will have a king who will uplift this nation.

M BYSH (Mrs), Knowlesly Road, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.