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Princes snub Diana's betrayers by barring them from memorial service
Last updated at 22:37pm on 07.08.07Princes William and Harry snubbed former aides they accuse of exploiting their mother's name by not inviting them to Diana's memorial service later this month.
The brothers have left key members of her household such as former private secretary Patrick Jephson, Scotland Yard bodyguard Ken Wharfe and butler Paul Burrell off the guest list.
They have expressed disgust at the way in which the three, all close to Diana during the most troubled years of her life, have 'cashed in' on her memory since her death ten years ago.
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Victoria Mendham was the Princess's personal assistant for eight years, becoming more friend than employee
Mr Jephson, the princess's most senior aide for eight years and her first private secretary, was criticised publicly by William for writing less than complimentary memoirs about her as was Mr Wharfe, who guarded Diana until 1993.
Both have since forged lucrative careers as royal pundits.
The princes' vitriol has, however, been largely reserved for Mr Burrell, whose account of life with their mother they regard as a 'cold and overt betrayal'.
They have insisted they do not want anyone associated with the still thriving Diana 'industry' present when they commemorate the tenth anniversary of her death on August
Another notable absentee is Victoria Mendham, who worked as Diana's personal assistant for eight years before they fell out over the cost of a Caribbean holiday.
Seven hundred guests have been invited to the ceremony, which will take place in the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks in London.
The most notable guest is the Duchess of Cornwall, who the Princess publicly blamed for the breakdown of her marriage.
A Daily Mail poll has shown 54 per cent of the British public believe Camilla's presence at the service would be 'inappropriate'.
She is said to feel extremely awkward at having to attend at the Prince of Wales's side but accepts that to stay away could be taken as a public confession of guilt.
'While she wants to publicly support her husband and always will, she believes she has been placed in an invidious position,' said a senior royal source.
Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Camilla should diplomatically fake an illness in order to avoid attending. Others insist it is not an option.
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The Duchess of Cornwall feels royal courtiers have put her in an 'impossible position' over the memorial service for Diana, Princess of Wales
'Of course it is not an ideal situation but there was never any question of her not going,' a friend of William's said.
'The service is being organised by William and Harry who accept that she is now their stepmother. They have a pretty good relationship with her now and are content for her to be there. They are handling the situation particularly maturely, in fact.'
Clarence House declined to comment on the guest list yesterday but a senior royal source expressed surprise that anyone would 'even expect the likes of Paul Burrell' to be invited.
'William and Harry have made very clear that they abhor the way in which friends and former members of staff continue to exploit their mother's memory.
'In fact they find it very upsetting. It beggars belief that anyone who has done this would be invited to what, after all, is a relatively small, personal service to mark her tragic death,' the source said.
Mr Wharfe, who served as Diana's personal protection officer for seven years, yesterday said he had not expected to be invited.
'I am happy to remember the princess as she was and for the good she achieved privately,' he said.
Asked about Camilla's attendance, he added: 'The princess's views of Mrs Parker Bowles have been well documented.'
The Duchess of York is also not attending the service. She turned down an invitation to join her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, saying she felt 'unwelcome' at royal events. She said she would remember Diana on the day in her own way.
Reader views (16)
It's been 10 years: surely it's time to mend fences in the name of Diana, who only wanted peace: remember her work with landmines.
- Trevor Roll, London
I feel it is incredibly hypercritical for Camilla to attend considering she was the main downfall of their marriage and how the public saw Prince Charles.
- Tracey, London
When all is said and done Princess Di is William and Harry's mother, and the decision as to who attends in theirs and their father's alone. When my mother died we did not tell some people until after the funeral as we did not want the insincerity and crocodile tears.
- Michael, London
I don't think that Camilla should come to the Memorial service for Diana on 31st August. She may be married to Charles and want to support him but they both destroyed Diana's life. I think Charles as the father of William and Harry should be there but Camilla should decline the invitation and out of respect to the memory of the princess not attend.
- Pauline, Bedfordshire
I am sure Camilla thinks the whole charade is a complete waste of time as do the majority of sane British people.
- Noel, SW8
If the princes accept Camilla being there with their father Charles, then that's all that matters. It's their mother who they are having the memorial for,I reckon they have every right to do what they want.
- Ciar, London
Camilla should not be going to the memorial at all -she should stay away.
- Julie, Berkshire
It's a shame that this memorial service is being tainted by most articles about it focusing on Camilla's attendance or non-attendance. If Camilla is expected to attend she will attend, but it is the memorial to Princess Diana arranged by her sons.
- Valmae, Seaford, UK
If anyone should barred from the service, it should be her ex-husband.
- Lezli, London UK
I thought the saying was HE or SHE who has NOT SINNED cast the first stone. I do not believe that Camilla should not go but I do agree that the sons should pick who they wish to go and those who they do not want to go and it should be their choice only not any one else.
- Raymond Jennings, GB
Camilla does not always support the Prince of Wales. Where was she on the first two occasions he visited the flood victims? These would surely have been times for her to be with him and to show sympathy with the people suffering from the damage. Whatever her excuse was for absenting herself on these occasions could be used again for not attending the memorial service for the late Princess - certainly NOT a suitable time to show herself !
- Angela Silverman, London England
Yes, she is the Princes stepmother as Bill states but this is not about grudges it is about common decency and staying away from something that is nothing to do with her and where she does not belong. Do something decent in your life for once - stay away
- Minime, Southend, England
This year was always going to a difficult one. In this situation, Camilla is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't, the woman can't win really. High time people got a bit of perspective. At the end of the day it is up to her sons to decide who should attend, not the public.
- Geraldine, London
Comments such as Lisa's above are a depressing reminder of the stupidity and crassness of so much comment on this issue while that of Bill is a welcome reminder of the traditional common sense of the British public.
Lisa would also do well to remember that if its wasn't for the Royal Family - no one would ever have heard of Lady Diana Spencer - and that among the royal family there are many members who loved and supported Diana - including the Queen and Prince Philip.
- David, London
Camilla is step-mother to Diana's children. They hold no grudge against her, so why should anyone else?
- Bill, Herts, UK
Camilla should be ashamed of herself for even considering going to the memorial and so should Charles for encouraging her. This is about Diana and those who loved her remembering her, not a chance for publicity for the Royal family.
- Lisa, Farringdon
