Royal expert Robert Hardman has refuted the idea that Tony Blair’s government had to convince Buckingham Palace to hold Princess Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in 1997.

On the podcast “Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things,” Hardman shared insights from his interviews with key figures involved in planning the ceremony. His aim was to debunk the “myths” surrounding the events after Diana’s tragic death in Paris.

Hardman disclosed that the Spencer family initially favored a more intimate service. In contrast, the royal household quickly recognized the need for a large public funeral, crediting them with this realization.

He explained to podcast host and historian Kate Williams that he had reviewed a memo from Lord Airlie, the Lord Chamberlain, dated August 31—the day Diana passed away. This memo directed officials to start planning the funeral even before government representatives held a meeting.

This account challenges portrayals in the 2006 movie “The Queen” and Netflix’s “The Crown,” where it appears the government spearheaded the call for a grand public event.

Robert Hardman has dismissed claims the Blair government had to persuade Buckingham Palace to give Diana her Westminster Abbey funeral

Hardman said it was actually members of the Spencer family who initially wanted a smaller, private service

This runs contrary to the version of events depicted in the 2006 film The Queen, where the government took the initiative in pushing for a large public ceremony

On the latest instalment of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary life of Diana, Princess of Wales 

Speaking on the Daily Mail podcast, Hardman stated, “I have spoken extensively with everyone involved, including members of the Labour government, and many misconceptions have developed since that week.”

‘Lord Airlie and his team had already drawn up plans for the funeral at Westminster Abbey – Blair’s aides weren’t even on the case.

‘I have seen the memo, written on the Sunday – the Blairites didn ‘t get into their first meeting till the Monday.

‘Some of the Spencer family, very understandably, felt that as she’s not royal anymore, let’s have a nice, private service.

‘Helped by Diana’s brother-in-law, Robert Fellowes, who was the Queen’s Private Secretary, the Palace knew this was going to be huge. That it had to be a proper funeral.

‘Lord Airlie was a very wise man… his phrase was this has to be de novo, meaning from the start. This has got to be a uniquely Diana event.’

An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide watched Diana’s funeral on television, with more than a million lining the streets of London

Williams noted that Hardman’s version of events contradicts numerous accounts suggesting it was Charles, not the Palace, who pushed for a major public funeral

An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide watched Diana’s funeral on television, with more than a million lining the streets of London.

The service at Westminster Abbey was attended by 2,000 guests including world leaders, celebrities, and representatives from the charities Diana supported.

The massive undertaking was coordinated by a planning committee that included representatives from the royal palaces, the Spencer family, Number 10, and the Metropolitan Police – all under the oversight of Lord Airlie.

Williams noted that Hardman’s version of events contradicts numerous accounts suggesting it was Charles, not the Palace, who pushed for a major public funeral while the royal household initially resisted.

‘A lot of accounts say it was really the royal household who were resisting,’ Williams said.

‘They wanted a private funeral – but it was Charles who said, I must go and collect her. She must lie in state. She must have a ceremonial funeral.’

‘Your research suggests that actually, the Palace was accepting early on that this was going to be a huge funeral for Diana – right from the beginning.’

To listen to the final episode of The Diana Years, where Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the Princess’s divorce, charity work and death, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things now, wherever you get your podcasts – or watch on YouTube.