LETTER : Royal Family fails nation in its grief

Sir: While I can sympathise with private grief and the need to keep the public's gaze away from a bereaved family, the Royal Family cannot escape its role as a public family. And, once again, they show us exactly why Princess Diana will be much missed. No public statements of support for the people of Britain. No contact. No reassuring glimpse of warmth or informality. No mutual understanding. No real relationship.

And this cold distance at a time when people in Britain are showing so much obvious, public sympathy to support each other.The message the Royal Family sends out is that the curtains are shut, the doors are locked and the British public are on their own.

MARGARET KEETON

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire