Diana Funeral: Tavener ’Song For Athene’, Chorale Recessional, No Commentary

The solemn conclusion of the funeral of Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey, 6 September 1997. Sir John Tavener’s “Song For Athene“ is sung by the Westminster Abbey Choir as Diana’s coffin is borne up the nave toward the Great West Door. After the national Minute of Silence, the bells of Westminster begin their 3-hour-long peal as the organist plays Bach’s “Prelude in C Minor“. The procession out the Abbey door as the chimes and organ fill the air with thundering discordant sound is one of the most stirring moments of television I have ever witnessed, and was unfortunately marred by almost every broadcaster with voice-over commentary. In the US, the television network CBS was alone in presenting the departure of Diana’s cortége from the Abbey with due reverent silence. Video footage by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which are the sole owners of this content. Respectfully made available for viewing here for its historical value, and for posterity.