There was a point, when the Queen was holed-up in Balmoral and the public were going hysterical about Diana, where the popular mood began to get a bit nasty. I think at that point, had the Queen not returned to London and addressed the nation, a swelling of republican leanings could have posed a real threat to the future of the Monarchy.

What actually happened is that the shock of the event was the impetus for the Palace to adapt to the new world of 24-hour news and media management: the Monarchy emerged stronger.

(S)