DIANA, Princess of Wales never visited Guernsey, but the news of her death 10 years ago today sparked a wave of mourning across the Bailiwick. So many flowers were laid at the War Memorial at the top of Smith Street to honour her life that seating at the monument was removed to make room for them all.

A book of condolence opened at Government House was full of signatures by the end of the following day.

The Princess was also remembered in Sunday church services across the Bailiwick and the Union flag at the Royal Courthouse was one of many across the island that flew at half-mast until her funeral on Saturday 6 September.

The Lt-Governor at the time, Sir John Coward, who later represented the Bailiwick at her funeral, sent a message of condolence to the Prince of Wales and to the rest of the royal family.

The day after Diana’s death, newsagents’ shelves were empty as national newspapers, including special editions with pictorial tributes to the princess, sold out.

The news of her death affected many companies across the island, including Barclays, which postponed the opening of its new High Street bank for a week.

In the days after her death, the traders of St Peter Port and the Bridge set up a charitable trust as a lasting memorial to Diana, which was intended to benefit charities in the island.

Most local shops closed and companies ceased to operate on the day of her Westminster Abbey funeral and one couple due to be married at the Greffe on the day decided to postpone their wedding.

Island Coachways asked drivers to pull to the side of the road at 11am, when the funeral was due to start, to observe a two-minute silence which started and ended with the sounding of the civil defence sirens.

The Goat Society’s annual show at Saumarez Park was one of many events due to take place that day, but was postponed for a week, along with many sporting competitions that were either cancelled or postponed as a mark of respect.

Guernsey Electricity reported energy consumption as down by about 20% during the service and the absence of shoppers and workers made the High Street and the Bridge eerily quiet.

A service of thanksgiving was held in the Town Church the Sunday after the funeral, raising £1,882.31 to be divided equally between the national memorial fund and its local counterpart.

At the end of the week, the floral tributes were removed from the War Memorial and the silk flowers were given to residential homes across the island.