On September 5, Elizabeth Windsor, Britain's reigning monarch and head of state, made a live broadcast in which she called for Spencer's funeral to be an occasion "to show the whole world the British nation united in grief and respect." The statement was widely seen as a belated attempt, instigated by the government, to deflect public criticism of the royal family as cold and aloof following the death of Spencer, divorced wife of Charles Windsor, next in line to the British throne.

More than a million people were estimated to have participated in the funeral of Diana Spencer the following day.

In a funeral oration, Diana Spencer's brother Charles - an earl and godson to the reigning queen Elizabeth - made what was widely seen as a direct attack on the royal family. He pledged his "blood" family to bring up Diana's sons so that they are "not simply immersed by duty and tradition, but can sing openly as you [Diana Spencer] planned."

The statement drew applause from crowds listening outside Westminster Abbey, from those watching on screens in central London's Hyde Park, and from those in the funeral service themselves.

His attack culminated a week in which the stability of the British monarchy was severely undermined. The British monarch, as head of state, holds limited but significant powers under the British Constitution. The country's prime minister is chosen by the king or queen, and all bills passed by the British Parliament must be forwarded to them for approval.

In an attempt to paper over the cracks that are beginning to appear in the United Kingdom, the Labour government of Prime Minister Anthony Blair is committed to modernize the monarchy and reform the unelected chamber of Parliament, the House of Lords. His government's moves to set up parliaments in Scotland and Wales aim to assuage growing nationalist sentiments, fueled by widening regional disparities. Along with England and Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales form component parts of the imperialist state structure.

Blair hoped to strengthen his hand vis-a-vis the "traditionalists" in the state machinery by turning Diana Spencer's death in a car accident into a celebration of her "modernity." On August 31, just a few hours after Spencer's death, Blair kicked off the week-long media hoopla. "I feel like everybody else in this country today," he declared. "She was the People's Princess and that is how she will stay, how she will remain in our hearts and memories forever."

Downing Street was immediately involved in preparations for what Blair termed a "people's funeral," with some of his top aides on the funeral arrangements committee, which met at Buckingham Palace.

Blair's lauding of the "People's Princess," and plans to mobilize thousands of people to celebrate her life and charitable works quickly began to get out of hand. Spencer, who was part of the wealthy nobility her entire life, cultivated an image of a public figure who campaigned against land mines and supported AIDS charities - a facade in stark contrast to the royal family.

The failure of Charles Windsor, heir to the throne, and Elizabeth Windsor, the reigning monarch, to leave the royal family's residence in Scotland where they were vacationing with Diana Spencer's children, William and Henry, was widely criticized. The formalities of the funeral - Spencer lost the title of "Her Royal Highness" after her 1996 divorce from Prince Charles - likewise created an uproar. Buckingham Palace at first refused to fly the Union Flag at half mast - traditionally only the Royal Standard is flown over the palace, and not lowered even for the death of a reigning monarch. By September 3, Blair appeared on the steps of the prime minister's residence in Downing Street to defend the monarch, insisting that the royal family shared "our grief."

Concessions followed. The Union Flag was flown at half mast at the royal residence at Windsor Castle, the route of the funeral procession was lengthened, and the royal family agreed to return earlier than planned to London. The queen made her first live television broadcast to the nation in 38 years.

These concessions, however, had little effect in stemming the tide of debate, which by Monday was lapping the shores of the monarchy's very future.

"I think the royal family just responded to public pressure in the end," said Keith Brand a production worker at Ford's main assembly plant in London. Brand watched the funeral on TV.

Ray Wood, another worker at the factory agreed. "I think it was just a front, because of what the public wanted them to do. They were obligated - they are already under threat. I don't think they felt any real remorse" over the princess's death.

Commenting on Charles Spencer's remarks, Wood said, "I think there should be a change, like Earl Spencer said, the two boys need to see how it really is -homelessness and everything."

Wood thought Charles Windsor, an "adulterer," should be passed over and William be the next king.

"They should do away with them altogether, or at least only have one, like other countries have done," commented Daryll Sigler.

"The people don't listen to the queen anymore, the queen has to listen to the people," said Gayle Kermin, another worker on Ford's production line. "They've been behind that wall too long. They're unpopular. They won't ever get a funeral like that!"

Following the funeral Blair flew to Scotland to meet with Elizabeth Windsor to discuss the future of the monarchy.

Responding to questions over the very existence of a monarchy in the UK in a TV interview prior to the visit, Blair said, "I personally believe that the monarchy is a tradition which we want to keep. But the monarchy adapts and changes and will change and modernize with each generation." He also expressed his personal support for Charles, saying he would make a good king. In a poll carried out among crowds mourning Diana Spencer, ICM reported 72 percent of respondents thought her son William should be the next king.

Ian Grant is a member of the Transport and General Workers Union at Ford.  
 
 
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