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They were the seven days that shocked the world, from the death of Princess Diana in Paris to her funeral at Westminster Abbey.  In this, the fifth part of our poignant series to mark the 20th anniversary, JONATHAN MAYO reconstructs those momentous events as they happened though the eyes of Royal Family members , politicians, the Princess’s family, and a grief-stricken public... 9am, Friday, September 5 At Althorp, the Spencer family seat , a temporary pontoon bridge to an island in the middle of a lake is being built by the Army. It is on this island that tomorrow Diana, Princess of Wales will be buried. In Great Yarmouth, sticks of rock with the message ‘Diana RIP’ are being taken off the shelves after complaints that they are disrespectful. Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s Press secretary, is once more standing in front of Diana’s coffin in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace. When he was here on Wednesday, he felt angry with the Princess for not wearing a seatbelt. Today he has onl...

Cover of Remembering Diana published by National Geographic. (Photo: Mario Testino) Princess Diana is a larger-than-life figure in so many ways, and her biography contains moments large and small, public and private, royal and routine. This timeline follows Diana from childhood to storybook royal wedding to parenthood and then, unfortunately, to a death that came far too soon. 1961:   Diana Frances Spencer , born July 1, was the fourth of five children born to John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer and his first wife, Frances Ruth Roche. 1967:  The Spencers separate when Diana is six years old. The divorce would not be final until 1969, following a child custody battle won by her father. In later years, her younger brother, Charles, blames the split on the loss of their first son, John, who died within hours of his birth in 1960, and the difficulty of producing a male heir. 1969:  Diana's mother marries Peter Shand Kydd , an Australian wallpaper heir , and is accused by Shand Kydd...

A man is dead after an apartment fire in Woodbridge, Va., officials said. The incident occurred about 11:35 p.m. Monday in the 3500 block of Sherbrooke Circle in the Lake Ridge area of Prince William County . When firefighters arrived, they found a man who was unconscious. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. The man was identified as Simeon Saplan Lim , 54, of Manassas. Officials said the homicide unit and the county fire marshal ’s office would investigate the incident.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — One person is charged with intentionally setting a fire in Woodbridge on Saturday. Fire crews were called to an apartment in the 15700 block of Tassleford Lane off Cardinal Drive about 5:56 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire. As crews arrived, they saw light smoke at the four- story apartment complex . The fire, which occurred on the first floor, was contained by a sprinkler system, said Prince William fire and recue Battalion Chief Curt Brodie . With the fire out and building ventilated, the fire marshal’s office investigated the blaze and determined the fire was intentionally set. Timothy Michael Smith , of Woodbridge, is charged with arson in connection to the blaze. He is scheduled to appear in court August 22. No injuries were reported in the fire, and the damage is estimated to be $5,000. This fire comes as investigators were still looking into what caused a fire at a townhouse in Dumfries on July 16. Investigators have offered little information on the case...

I have consulted with owners who were facing problems because a dog was put in a position where something happened. Some incidents involved the dog going after someone. Some cases involved a bite. Other cases involved damage dogs did to rental property when owners were not home. In each situation, the owner was told by a landlord, homeowners association or animal control/law enforcement  to find a trainer. In some cases, once contracts were discussed, the next words were “Oh, that will cost too much” or “Let me discuss the costs with my spouse and I will call back.” It is best to work to prevent problems. This means choosing a dog that is the best match for your life and choosing the best source possible. From here you start early socializing and work. Find a good trainer to help get you get started on the road to prevention. No matter how much work we do, these are still dogs. Sometimes things happen which are best addressed with a professional. Now come the monetary concerns. Befo...