Elton John to Sing at Funeral
Elton John, who was comforted by Princess Diana at a memorial service in July for designer Gianni Versace, will sing at her funeral Saturday. He tells ABC News' "20/20" program that he will do all he can not to cry. The performer will sing a version of "Candle in the Wind," his musical eulogy to film legend Marilyn Monroe, whose own early death has been compared to the loss of Diana. The words will be changed in tribute to Diana and instead of singing "Goodbye Norma Jean," John's tribute at the Westminster Abbey ceremony will begin "Goodbye England's rose." John said Diana's sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale had asked him to sing. He said he considers it "an incredible honor."
Diana's Brother Bans Tabloids
Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, has banned the editors of Britain's tabloid newspapers from attending his sister's funeral Saturday. Paparazzi photographers on motorcycles were following Diana's car through Paris when it crashed at high speed last Sunday, killing her. Earl Spencer later said the media were to blame for her death. Although none of the photographers chasing Diana worked directly for British news organizations, Britain's tabloid newspapers constantly pursued the princess in search of new and sensational pictures.
Pavarotti to Attend Funeral
Italian opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti, who had said he was too distraught to attend Princess Diana's funeral, will be coming after all. Pavarotti has been "terribly, terribly upset" at the news of the death, a spokeswoman said. The tenor had originally decided to mourn Diana in Italy. "But now he wants to come," she said. Meanwhile, Santo and Donatella Versace, the brother and sister of murdered fashion king Gianni Versace, will also attend the funeral, as will Italian fashion designer Valentino.
Billions May Watch Diana Funeral
Princess Diana's funeral will rank among the world's biggest televised events with an audience of countless millions or even billions around the globe. British newspapers estimate the potential worldwide audience at around 2.5 billion. Broadcasters say they are facing unprecedented demand for footage of the nation's farewell to Diana. CNN says it will replay Diana's funeral twice within 24 hours to accommodate time differences in 210 countries. ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and Fox News also plan extensive live coverage. France, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark are among the European countries planning to broadcast the funeral live. The BBC says it is licensing its footage to 45 broadcasters around the world.
