Associated Press – August 20, 2007
LONDON – The Archbishop of Canterbury noted Princess Diana’s willingness to reach out to the poor and downtrodden in two prayers meant to be read at memorial services marking the 10th anniversary of her death, the Church of England said Monday.
Princess Diana’s sons requested the prayers, which were written by Rowan Williams.
“God our Father, we remember before you Diana, Princess of Wales, and offer you our gratitude for all the memories of her that we treasure still,” Williams wrote in one prayer. “Her vulnerability and her willingness to reach out to the excluded and forgotten touched us all; her generosity gave hope and joy to many.”
The prayers will be read at the Aug. 31 memorial service attended by Princes William and Harry at the Guards Chapel in central London.
The prayers were also made available to other churches around the country.
Diana, 36, friend Dodi Fayed, 42, and chauffeur Henri Paul were killed when their Mercedes crashed in a Paris tunnel on Aug. 31, 1997. The only survivor was bodyguard Trevor Rees.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted August 22, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Diana, in her short life, tried to do some good in the world and with her status, she was able to bring attention to needed concerns. It is so totally unfortunate that her life was ended so early.
IMO she would have been very proud of the men her 2 boys have grown to be.
posted August 27, 2007 at 1:14 am
Nice prayers – a bit impersonal – but nice. Palatable sentiment wthout making any exploitative comments. But where is the news in this story? The Archbishop – of all people in Christendom – would be most expected to offer prayers of this sort.