A liturgy that expresses the finest of Anglican tradition combined with "Diana's free spirit" has been formed into a funeral service that will be remembered for generations to come.
The service will begin with the traditional sentences from the Book of Common Prayer set to music by well known composers, William Croft, one-time organist at Westminster Abbey.
The hymns for the service are:
| I vow to thee my country | - which was sung at the Royal Wedding |
| The King of love | - (Dominus regit me) |
| Make me a channel of thy peace | - a paraphrase of the Prayer of St Francis |
| Guide me O thou great Redeemer | - a traditional Welsh favourite |
The BBC Singers will sing the 'Libera me' from the Verdi Requiem.
Elton John will sing a specially adapted version of Candle in the Wind.
Other music will include 'In Paradisum' from the Orthodox funeral service in a setting by John Taverner.
Other music includes Thou knowest, Lord, by Henry Purcell
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd George L Carey, will lead the prayers and pronounce the Blessing. The Dean, the Very Revd Lesley Carr, standing before the Catafalque, will say the following commendation:
DIANA, our companion in faith and sister in Christ, we entrust you to God.
Go forth from this world in the love of the Father, who created you;
In the mercy of Jesus Christ, who died for you;
In the power of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens you.
At one with all the faithful, living and departed,
may you rest in peace and rise in glory,
where grief and misery are banished
and light and joy evermore abide. Amen.
Organ music includes:
- Pachelbel's Canon
- Elgar's Nimrod, variation 9
The Scripture reading for the service will be 1 Corinthians 13 and will be read by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, will offer a tribute during the service.
The complete funeral service text should be posted on the Web pages of the Abbey www.westminster-abbey.org and Buckingham Palace www.royal.gov.uk.