Classic Albums: Queen - The Making of 'A Night at the Opera' Page #5

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in charge of the funeral.

You're meeting him at the airport.

- Lord Airlie.

- Good afternoon, Prime Minister.

It's my job to organise

all the ceremonial events.

There's no precedent

for the funeral of an ex-HRH.

Perhaps we should plan

for any contingency.

I propose a meeting tomorrow morning

at Buckingham Palace,

'officials from all three palaces,

representatives of the Spencer family,'

the emergency services

and your people.

Absolutely. Of course.

Precedent?

Where do they find these people?

Thank you.

Brigadier Sir Charles Wood.

Air Commodore Wessex.

- Prime Minister.

- I'm so sorry, sir.

If there's anything

I or my government can do...

They stood up as we drove past,

in cafs, in restaurants,

removed their hats.

This was Paris,

and you could hear a pin drop.

- I imagine it will be the same here.

- The palace prefers a private funeral.

- What are your feelings on that?

- I...

I think that'll present us

with difficulties.

So do I.

My mother... The Queen comes

from a generation not best equipped.

She grew up in the war.

I think what we need,

what this country needs,

is a more modern perspective,

if you follow.

- Balmoral is...

- I think I understand.

'An aircraft of the Queen's Flight

brought the Princess's body home,

'where the Prime Minister gathered

with members of his government.

'A black hearse crossed the Tarmac

'and a Royal Air Force guard of honour

moved forward.'

Has anyone heard from the Spencers?

Did they say when the funeral will be?

Hmm? I don't know.

Nobody tells me anything.

'President Clinton

heard the news last night.'

'We liked her very much.

'We admired her work for children,

for people with AIDS

'for ending the scourge

of land mines... '

On our walk today, one of the gillies

said he'd seen a stag up Craggy Head.

- He reckoned 14 points.

- Oh.

We haven't had one

as big as that on the estate for years.

No. Quite.

'... and I was tremendously impressed... '

Anyway, I thought

it might be a good distraction.

- For the boys.

- What, stalking?

- You don't think it's too soon?

- Anything that gets them out is good.

'... as their relationship

deteriorated,

'she became increasingly unhappy.

'The couple divorced

in August of last year.

'Their love story

brought crowds into the streets.

'They came to see the Queen

and the Prince,

'but most of all,

they came to see Diana.'

- I'm going to bed.

- 'But the fairytale was destined... '

I'll ring the Lord Chamberlain's office

to say we'll send representatives

to the meeting.

Thank you, Stephen.

She gave us so much.

Why couldn't we have given her

something and left her alone?

It just... hurts me so much.

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