For Di, Emotions Burn : Life of the Late Princess Is Honored by 1,000 at Seaside Candlelight Vigil

As Britons 5,500 miles away steadied themselves for a heart-wrenching funeral, about 1,000 Orange County residents gathered here for a candlelight vigil Friday evening to mourn the passing of a princess.

“I had to come,” said Robert Chica, 28, of Laguna Niguel as he waited in line to sign a book of condolences. “I wanted to go to L.A. But I didn’t have the chance, and I’m happy I have a chance now.” The seaside memorial at Laguna’s Main Beach was organized by Laguna Beach environmentalist Beth Leeds, a seven-time City Council candidate who said she thought locals should have an outlet for the grief many of them have felt since Princess Diana’s death Sunday.

“She’s a worldwide figure,” Leeds said, “and she’s helped so many people.”

About 1,000 people, by police estimates, who traveled from throughout Orange County to attend the ceremony at sunset were invited to enter their feelings about Diana in a leather-bound book that will be forwarded to Buckingham Palace. First in line was Bill La Pointe, 57, publisher of the Blade, an Orange County magazine.

“I’m here as a citizen who wants to honor a wonderful woman who gave so much in a short period of time,” La Pointe said.

Huntington Beach resident Louise Lewis had driven to the British Consulate in West Los Angeles earlier this week to sign a condolence book. But she left after waiting in line for 90 minutes when her 9-month-old daughter became fussy in the heat.

When Lewis later learned about the Laguna Beach vigil, she volunteered to help by selecting music for the event. Her choices included songs by Elton John, who also is scheduled to perform at the ceremony in London.

“I was glad to hear that somebody locally was going to do something,” she said.

Lewis said she has tracked Diana’s life since her engagement to Prince Charles and, over the years, her feelings for the princess deepened.

“It went from admiration to love, because she was so vulnerable and open with her emotions,” Lewis said. “She was a touchstone of sorts for me that I would measure myself up against. She had the kind of grace under fire that, really, no other icons around exemplified.”

A Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce receptionist said that about half the calls received there Friday were inquiries about the memorial service. They came from throughout Orange County and as far south as San Diego. Leeds said she even received one call from London.

The city was not involved in orchestrating the event.

Liz Holmes, owner of Bow Danglers Boutique in Laguna Beach, lent Leeds a candle in a silver-plated cup.

Of the mood around town, Holmes said: “I think everybody’s feeling pretty devastated and not really knowing what to do.”

Under a warm evening sky, a small memorial table covered with lace and bearing a photo of the princess stood at the center of the crowd. Taped to a nearby palm tree were posters of Princess Diana along with red paper hearts. Long-stemmed roses were strewn beneath the memorial, which grew as more bouquets were laid on the ground.

On another makeshift table covered by a British flag, a sign read: “In memory of Princess Diana, 1961-1997. The world’s queen of hearts. Heaven calls its angel home.”

At one point the line to sign the book of condolences became so long that newcomers couldn’t find the end of it.

In another Orange County memorial for the princess, a Mass of Remembrance will be held today at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Church in Corona del Mar on the grounds of Pacific View Memorial Park. The chapel is at 3500 Pacific View Drive.