A last farewell

Millions of people around the world today will join Britons as they bid farewell to their beloved "queen of people's hearts", Diana, Princess of Wales.

That a sense of bereavement for Diana's death engulfs not only Britain but countries around the world, attests to her warm and open personality and dedication to humanitarian work. It was this work that touched the hearts and minds of people everywhere irrespective of race, nationality or creed.

It is certainly fitting that on her last journey through the streets of London, before her coffin is carried from Westminster Abbey to her final resting place in Althorp Park -- the Spencers' family home northwest of London -- hundreds of representatives from charity organizations worldwide will be walking in a silent procession behind her bier.

Equally typical is the fact that, despite previous plans to inter her in the village church of St. Mary the Virgin at nearby Great Brington village, where many of her ancestors are buried, Princess Diana's remains will be laid to rest in family grounds. The reason, as her brother Earl Spencer explained, was to ensure "the grave can be properly looked after by her family and visited in privacy by her sons".

For most Britons, so far, the shock of the untimely death of their much adored "princess of the people" must have kept them from giving deeper thought to the wider significance of all that has transpired since the tragic Sunday morning when Britain and the world first learned of the fatal accident in a Paris tunnel.

In the days and weeks that lie ahead, however, it seems unavoidable that the events of the past few days will compel many people in Britain to ponder a few questions that Princess Diana's demise has left in its wake.

The first and probably the most obvious question concerns the matter of personal privacy and what should or can be done to ensure it.

In a democracy such as Britain, press freedom is highly regarded and putting reins on the media is obviously not a simple matter. Yet it seems that a new balance, between the freedom of expression and the right of the individual citizen to have his or her privacy respected, will have to be found. After all, any individual's rights are supposed to end where the rights of another begins.

Another question, which Diana's death must inevitably raise, concerns the nature -- or perhaps even the very existence -- of the British monarchy. Steeped in tradition, the British monarchy has long been regarded as one of the most aristocratic establishments remaining in the world.

To many outsiders this may be fascinating. But many Briton's may regard their monarchy, in its present form, as a bit out of step with the times. The public resentment of Buckingham Palace's delay in expressing sympathy is a pointer in this direction.

More questions may emerge with the passing of time. For example, is change going to come when Diana's eldest son, Prince William, ascends to the throne? That, obviously, is a question which only time can answer.

As for the moment, the hope is that Diana's life and the work that she did -- both in bringing up her sons and in caring for people in need everywhere -- has not been in vain.