The unexpected death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Paris on 31 August 1997 led to a period of mourning that took the world by surprise. Does all this mark a shift in the culture of mourning.

Part 1 Introduction: the week of mourning, Douglas Davies; the questions people asked, Tony Walter. Part 2 Contexts and comments: royalty and public grief in Britain - an historical perspective 1817-1997, John Wolffe; the moving power of moving images -television constructions of Princess Diana, Jenny Kitzinger; the children's princess, Jenny Hockey and Allison James; a nation under stress - the psychological impact of Diana's death, Mark Shevlin et al; secular religion and the public response to Diana's death, Chris Harris. Part 3 London: Kensington Gardens - from royal park to temporary cemetery, Doris Francis et al; pilgrims and shrines, Jennifer Chandler; a bridge of flowers, Anne Rowbottom; policing the funeral, Tom Laidlaw and P.A.J. Waddington; liturgy and music, Grace Davie and David Martin. Part 4 The global and the provincial: books of condolence, Bethan Jones; a provincial city shows respect - shopping and mourning in Bath, Marion Bowman; America responds to Diana's death -spontaneous memorials, C. Allen Haney and Dell Davis; an American paean for Diana, an unlikely feminist hero, Wendy Griffin; jokes on the death of Diana, Christie Davies. Part 5 Conclusion: and the consequence was..., Tony Walter.