Letter: Respect for Royal Family's grief

Sir: It would appear that the tabloid press have won the day, yet again. At the beginning of the week the television media talked endlessly of how the paparazzi's paymasters were responsible for the Princess's death. Now the UK tabloids have skilfully moved the controversy towards Balmoral in asking why were not the Royal Family publicly mourning Diana's loss.

After Diana is buried on Saturday the tabloids will be turning their guns on the Prince of Wales and the Royal Family, asking why was not more done for Diana during her lifetime. Before long, the two princes, William and Harry, will truly be cooped up in their "tower", being forced to live up to an image which I suspect was far more mythical than the majesty of monarchy itself.

JOHN P MARTI-ROSSI

London E9