William, Harry intervene to lift ban on Diana's friend

LONDON: Prince William and Prince Harry have overruled the Clarence House's decision to ban one of Princess Diana's closest friends from attending her memorial service on Friday, a British tabloid reported on Monday.

The Princess have now issued a last-minute invitation to their mother's former aide Victoria Mendham who was Diana's personal secretary and holiday companion, 'The Sun' quoted sources at Clarence House as saying.

"It's regrettable oversight that Victoria Mendham had initially been missed off the guest list. She has now been invited to Friday's service but it is not yet known if she will be able to attend," the unnamed sources said.

Other former members of Princess Diana's staff now attending the event to mark her tenth death anniversary at the Guards Chapel here include chauffeur Simon Solari and chef Mervyn Wycherley and friends Lucia Flecha and Vivienne Parry.

However, a ban on Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, has not been lifted. The 39-year-old is thought to have been snubbed on the request of Princes William and Harry, who felt he exploited his position close to Diana to make money since her death, according to the tabloid.

"Paul Burrell has contacted Clarence House and left courtiers he spoke to in do doubt about what he thought of their decision to leave him off the list. He was told he wasnot wanted and the decision stood," the sources said.

The latest debacle in the memorial guest list came after Camilla pulled out of attending the service because she thought her presence would "divert attention from the purpose of the occasion".

Meanwhile, Clarence House has said that there're no contingency plans for the crowds expected to gather in the city for Princess Diana's memorial service on Friday, saying 'it's a family event'.

"It is impossible to estimate the numbers of people who will come to London. There will be a little bit of audio in the vicinity of the chapel but there'll not be any screens in the park and there are no plans for a walk-about. It's very much a personal family service," a Clarence House spokesman told 'The Daily Telegraph'.

Unlike the funeral of the Princess 10 years ago, there will be no giant screens to relay the service from the Guards Chapel where the hour-long memorial will take place. Those expected to attend to pay their respects will not be provided with loudspeakers to follow proceedings.

In a related development, Mohamed Al Fayed, father of Dodi who was killed alongside the Princess of Wales in the Paris car crash in 1997, has decided not to attend the event. Instead, he will lead a two-minute silence at Harrods on Friday, according to a report published in 'The Times'.

The millionaire, who is still fighting to prove that the lovers were murdered, will stand before a bronze statue that depicts the couple in tender pose with arms outstretched. The emotional tribute by Al Fayed, his wife and Dodi's brothers and sisters will precede the official thanksgiving service by an hour.

"Given that it's a ten-year anniversary and there is a lot of focus on it, it's best that we allow people to see him in a dignified and restrained and suitable manner. This is for the family but the whole store will be asked to observe it," Katharine Witty, the Harrods Chairman's Director of Press and Public Affairs was quoted as saying.

It may be mentioned that Camilla Fayed, Dodi's sister, has been invited by Prince William and Prince Harry to the formal service.