English/Nat
Residents of Washington joined mourners around the world on Monday in expressing their loss and grief over the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A book of condolences was set up at the British Embassy for people to record their thoughts about the British icon who captured the hearts of the American public.
Similar books had been set up early on Monday around London at the request of the Royal Family and Diana's family for Britons to express their grief in lieu of a public viewing.
Outside, the embassy steps became a virtual shrine to Diana as mourners left gifts and belongings in her memory.
Hundreds of mourners lined up at the British Embassy in Washington on Monday to remember Princess Diana in the wake of her shocking death.
The British Embassy became a shrine of sorts to Diana, as
Washingtonians flocked there to convey their support and prayers for one of their most beloved personalities.
People came with flowers, showering the steps of the embassy with
bouquets and mementoes in her memory.
Inside, people wrote messages in a condolence book similar to ones displayed at various sites in London.
Like in London, the book drew crowds of tearful admirers waiting in queues for hours to sign it.
The books were set out to give the citizens in both countries an opportunity to express their thoughts and to serve as an outlet for their grief.
Admirers of Princess Diana, many in tears, came to the embassy on their national holiday of Labour Day to leave their mark in the worldwide outpouring of grief for the princess.
Those who came to remember her expressed a feeling of hopelessness over her death and some wondered whether any steps could have been taken to prevent it.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"That's not going to change anything so far as her death and her loss."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The hotel should have been a lot more prescient in assigning someone to drive for such an important couple."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop
The American public took the news of the Princess' death hard, having been fascinated by her glamour and royalty.
In life and particularly in death, Princess Diana was embraced and revered by Americans almost as if she were one of their own.
In addition to flowers, tearful mourners left candles, balloons, stuffed animals and poems on the sidewalk to remember her.
Also left were cards depicting the Queen of Hearts from a deck of cards, referring to Diana's self-proclaimed goal to be a queen of the heart to the world.