Special cathedral service for Princess Diana

From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Tuesday 28th Aug 2007.

BLACKBURN Cathedral will host a special event this weekend for people to remember Princess Diana.

And it is being organised by a canon who knew the Royal.

Canon Chris Chivers worked with the Princess through HIV and AIDS charities that they were both involved in, especially in South Africa.

Before taking up his role at Blackburn Cathedral he also worked at Westminster Abbey and was involved in organising the Queen Mother's funeral, Princess Margaret's funeral and the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

He has since worked with both Prince William and Harry in their charity work, including with Prince Harry in Lesotho, South Africa.

Canon Chivers and his colleagues have written a "multi-faith" prayer in memory of the Royal and organised a service for people to reflect 10 years after her death.

He said: "The anniversary of Diana's death is a very difficult time and we felt that the cathedral would be the ideal place for people to come and reflect on their memories of her.

"Diana touched a lot of people's lives. She was a vulnerable person and very fragile and people could identify with that.

"Most of all she was a great listener. Most people in public life are not good listeners so that made a huge difference.

"She had an ability to be with people and identify with them. She captivated everyone she met."

Canon Chivers worked with the late Princess of Wales with the London-based HIV and AIDS charity Lighthouse.

He has worked at Blackburn Cathedral for the past two years and was at Westminster Abbey for the four years previously.

He has written a special prayer to be read out at the special service fropm 4pm at the cathedral this Sunday in a tribute to the Princess who killed in a Paris car crash 10 years ago.

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