Diana burial memories.
An ex-soldier has described how being a pallbearer at the funeral of Britain’s late Princess Diana was the “saddest job” he’s eer had to do.
Nigel Enwright, 32, carried out the solemn duty at Diana’s private burial at her Althorp family home, and has opened his heart about the experience on the tenth anniversary of her death.
The former private in the Princess of Wales’ Royal regiment said: “I couldn’t help seeing the faces of her sons, Princes William and Harry, who were only 15 and 12 at the time. That’s a memory that will never leave me. And Charles too – it was unbelievable. It was the greatest and saddest honour I have ever had.” Nigel revealed the team of eight pallbearers had trained for the duty by carrying a coffin filled with sandbags over a specially built bridge, and kept their duties secret by posing as a rugby team on tour at their hotel the night prior to the funeral.
He also revealed he wept for hours after the emotional service.
After the burial, Diana’s brother Earl Spencer sent Nigel’s Commanding Officer a thank you letter which read: “My sister would have been proud of her regiment.” Nigel had been lucky enough to meet the princess 12 before her death when he went to a parade of the Royal Hampshire regiment, in which his elder brother Paul was serving.
When Paul lost an eye just 24 hours later in an incident that ended his army career, he received a letter from Diana offering her sympathy as he recovered in hospital.
Nigel said: “It showed just what a marvellous, caring person she was. She didn’t know us from Adam.” A memorial service was held at the Guards Chapel in London’s Westminster area to mark Diana’s death today (31.08.07).
© bangshowbiz.biz
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