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On the evening of August 30, 1997, Princess Diana of the United Kingdom suffered a fatal car accident in the Alma Tunnel in Paris. The accident not only ended the life of a global ambassador of love, but also sparked countless mourning and speculation.
But among all the doubts, one question is particularly striking: Why was Princess Diana's body placed in a lead coffin weighing more than 600 pounds?
In the middle of the night on August 31, 1997, the lights inside the Alma Tunnel in Paris were dimmed, but the tragedy that followed made the site instantly the focus of global attention.
The serious accident in the car of Princess Diana of the United Kingdom has sparked international shock and mourning. Immediately after the accident, emergency services were called, and sirens sounded in the night sky.
The scene of the accident was chaotic, with broken vehicles scattered all over the ground, and shards of headlights and glass shards reflected a terrible light.
Within minutes of the accident, the sirens of ambulances and police cars filled the tunnel, and the scene was quickly cordoned off so that rescue teams could carry out rescue operations.
The emergency medical team in Paris, considered one of the most trained in Europe, reacted extremely quickly, and the ambulance crew rushed to the accident vehicle with first-aid equipment.
Diana was found in critical condition and she was urgently lifted out of the badly deformed vehicle for immediate on-site first aid.
Under the flashing lights, the medical team performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency hemostasis on Diana. Due to the severity of her injuries, every second counts. After initial first aid, Diana was quickly transferred to a stretcher and rushed to the nearest hospital.
On the way to the hospital, the ambulance, escorted by a police car, made its way through the streets of Paris late at night. Inside the car, paramedics were in a race against time to continue to carry out rescue measures on Diana, including oxygen supply and continuous heart monitoring.
The hospital's emergency room has been notified in advance to be ready to receive critically ill patients, and by the time the ambulance arrives, a medical team of multiple specialists is ready for surgery.
Although Diana was rushed to the operating room and had an emergency operation performed by a team of top surgeons, her injuries were too severe.
After many hours of hard work, the doctors had to face a difficult reality: Diana's internal injuries were extremely severe, and her vital signs were gradually weakening. Eventually, in the hospital, Diana was pronounced dead.
As soon as the news broke, media outlets from all over the world quickly converged on Paris and London, and major British television stations and newspapers began to report on the latest developments in the incident.
The BBC and other major networks kept updating Diana's health until her death was confirmed.
As the news was confirmed, the British people spontaneously gathered outside Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, bringing flowers and memorial cards to express their condolences and love for Diana.
Although Princess Diana had lost her official title to the royal family during her lifetime, the British royal family showed unparalleled respect and sincerity at her funeral.
The scale and ceremonial scale of the funeral was on par with that of Queen Elizabeth, and the treatment went beyond her actual status as an ordinary citizen after a divorce to some extent, reflecting the royal family's high regard for her personal contributions and public image.
Preparations for the funeral were carried out in an atmosphere of extreme secrecy and tension. Due to Diana's global popularity and the widespread attention caused by her tragic death, preparations for the funeral were kept secret to prevent the social unrest that could be caused by unauthorized information leaks.
The total budget for the funeral was $7.7 million, which covered every detail from strict security to the ceremony, including the decorations and amenities that were specially customized for her.
On the day of the funeral, the perimeter of Kensington Palace is surrounded by a large number of police and security personnel to ensure the smooth running of the funeral and the safety of the dignitaries attending the funeral.
Thousands of people gathered outside Kensington Palace, and they spontaneously brought flowers and memorial cards to express their condolences to Diana.
Although the public was not allowed inside Kensington Palace to attend the funeral, this did not stop them from expressing their love and condolences for Diana outside the palace.
The funeral ceremony at Kensington Palace was presided over by the Anglican Bishop and attended by many national leaders, representatives of international organizations and members of the royal family.
In the church where the funeral took place, the coffin was placed in the center, surrounded by white roses and lilies that Diana loved during her lifetime.
The whole ceremony was solemn, full of respect for Diana's contributions during her lifetime and mourning for her tragic death.
In Princess Diana's funeral, the choice of coffin was particularly eye-catching. The coffin is made of 635 pounds of lead, which not only ensures the sturdiness and tightness of the coffin, but also makes it special because of its weight.
Lead is an extremely dense metal that is often used in applications where protection from radiation or chemical corrosion is required. Here, its purpose is to seal Diana's body and prevent any possible adverse effects of the decay process, such as odors and leakage of liquids, which are essential to preserve her image and dignity.
On the day of the funeral, eight royal guards were chosen to carry the coffin. The guards were members of the elite British royal family, dressed in traditional red uniforms with glittering medals and epaulettes for a solemn look.
In the process of carrying the coffin, every step seems particularly cautious and heavy. The guards were specially trained to maintain their pace and balance to ensure the stability of the coffin during the march.
To further ensure the safety and dignity of the coffin, funeral organizers also deliberately arranged a specific path from the church to the cemetery.
The path was swept and inspected to ensure that there were no obstacles that could throw the guards off balance. Along the way, thousands of mourners stood silently on either side, many of them holding flowers and pictures of Diana to pay their last respects to the beloved public figure.
The coffin was slowly transported to Westminster Abbey, a historic site that has witnessed the important ceremonies of countless members of the British royal family.
Inside the church, the coffin is placed in front of the main altar surrounded by a large number of white roses and lilies, Diana's favorite flowers during her lifetime. These flowers not only decorate the ceremonial venue, but also symbolize purity and mourning.
At Princess Diana's funeral, her image showed great solemnity and dignity. The black gown she wore was the last one she had ordered before her death, and it was simple and elegant, perfectly fitting the princess's usual style.
Crafted by renowned British designers using high-quality fabrics, the gown is designed to embody both traditional British rigor and a touch of modern simplicity, perfect for her final public persona.
Clutched in her hand is a string of beads given to her by Mother Teresa, which symbolizes Diana's deep commitment to charity and humanitarian causes.
These beads are not only a symbol of religion, but also a microcosm of Diana's efforts to fight AIDS and support underprivileged children during her lifetime.
The presence of the beads allowed everyone present to feel Diana's enthusiasm and dedication during her lifetime.
In addition to this, Diana holds in her hand a photo of herself with her two sons, which was taken at a family gathering shortly before her death.
In the photo, Diana is close to her two sons, William and Harry, smiling. The photograph was meticulously framed in a minimalist frame, and Diana chose to carry it at her funeral, undoubtedly to express her endless love for her sons and the importance of her identity as a mother.
During the funeral ceremony, these personal belongings were placed next to Diana's coffin so that every guest present could see it clearly.
The display of these details is not only a review of her personal life, but also a strong statement of her character and attitude to life.
In this way, Diana was able to convey her message and values to the world even after she was alive and gone.
The coffin was placed in the center of the ceremony, surrounded by white roses and lilies that Diana loved during her lifetime. The flowers exude a faint fragrance that adds a touch of warmth and solemnity to the whole ceremony.
The white color of the flowers contrasts sharply with Diana's black dress, symbolizing purity and mourning, and also highlighting Diana's noble temperament and her pure image in people's hearts.
Princess Diana's final resting place was chosen on a small island on her family estate, the Althorp estate. Surrounded by lakes and away from the hustle and bustle, this small island offers a rare sense of tranquility and majesty. Diana's love of natural beauty and tranquility is reflected in the island's sparkling lake, lush trees and wildflowers.
On the day of the funeral, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the breeze was blowing. Diana's body was transported to the island by specially arranged ships after a solemn ceremony.
The funeral guests approached the island slowly in small boats, each with deep sorrow and respect for Diana on their faces.
An elaborate cemetery has been prepared for Diana on the island. In the center of the cemetery is a simple marble tombstone with Diana's name and biography inscribed, and the text is concise and solemn.
Around the tombstone are Diana's favorite flowers, roses and lilies, which sway gently in the wind, as if telling the endless thoughts and admiration for the beloved princess.
When the coffin was slowly lowered, there was silence all around, only the sound of wind and water was gently accompanied.
At this moment, all the rituals and red tape have receded, and only a deep remembrance of a princess who was once active on the world stage and is now forever resting on this secluded island.
The funeral ceremony was presided over by Diana's family chaplain, who briefly recounted Diana's life and her contributions to society.
Members of Diana's family, including her two sons and other close relatives, were present for the final farewell.
Each of them held a bouquet of white flowers, symbolizing purity and eternal love, and finally offered these flowers to Diana to express their love and reluctance.
The island's cemetery has become a permanent memorial for Princess Diana, and not only members of her family, but countless others who revered her will come here to remember the woman who once influenced the world with her kindness and courage.
Reference: Feng Yingzi. Century Travel,1997,0(11):29-29