Queen Elizabeth will address the British people tonight on the eve of the funeral of Princess Diana. The decision, announced by Buckingham Palace, marked an amazing climbdown by the monarch, after unprecedented media criticism amid a growing public perception that the royal family was remote from the nation's grief at the death of the princess.
In a complete reversal of her previous plans, the queen will return to London from Balmoral this morning to complete her television and radio message, which could be inserted into early evening news broadcasts. Queen Elizabeth will tell the nation of her shock and sorrow at the death of Diana, as Prince William and Prince Harry - supported by the Prince of Wales - pay their respects to their mother where she lies at rest in the Royal Chapel at St James's Palace.
The queen will also pay her respects and is expected afterwards to mingle with the crowds of people queueing to sign the books of condolence.
After a reported "battle of wills" between the queen and Prince Philip and Prince Charles - in which Prince Charles prevailed - the queen yesterday broke with royal protocol, ordering that the Union Jack be flown at half-mast over Buckingham Palace tomorrow. It was also confirmed that the monarch's personal standard will be lowered as the queen leaves Westminster Abbey after tomorrow's funeral service. Buckingham Palace officials had stoked the public controversy throughout the week by insisting that the flag could not be flown because the queen was not in residence.
Downing Street insisted that the decision to share her feelings with the nation was entirely the queen's. But in a rare event yesterday, the queen's press secretary, Mr Geoffrey Crawford, went before the television cameras to tell of the royal family's "hurt" at criticisms almost without precedent during Queen Elizabeth's reign.
Mr Crawford said: "The royal family have been hurt by suggestions that they are indifferent to the country's sorrow at the tragic death of the Princess of Wales. The princess was a much loved national figure but she was also a mother whose sons miss her deeply. Prince William and Prince Harry themselves want to be with their father and their grandparents at this time in the quiet haven of Balmoral."
He continued: "As their grandmother, the queen is helping the princes come to terms with their loss as they prepare for the public ordeal of mourning their mother with the nation on Saturday."
Earlier, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward signalled the royal response to public pressure, and found themselves mobbed by well-wishers as they staged an impromptu walkabout outside St James's Palace.
And last night, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his sons made their first public appearance since last Sunday, attending a private service at Craithie Parish Church at Balmoral. Prince Harry clutched his father's hand as the family stood outside the gates of Balmoral Castle in full view of the world's media, examining the dozens of floral tributes left for the princess.
It was a tragic spectacle as the two young princes eagerly read the messages of condolence and love from the grieving public. The queen stood alone for much of the five minutes reading anguished expressions of loyalty to the deceased princess. One read: "You dared to be different. . .TRUE jewel in the crown."
As the young princes prepared to return to London and their gruelling public ordeal, it was unclear whether they and their father would accompany Diana's coffin when it is transferred later tonight from St James's Palace to her home, Kensington Palace, from where it will commence the silent journey to the Abbey at 9.08 a.m. tomorrow morning. And a decision as to whether they will walk behind the gun carriage bearing the coffin will only be taken tomorrow morning.