BUCKINGHAM Palace has crowned a highly successful week with confirmation that the Prince and Princess of Wales have finally agreed the terms for their divorce.
As President Nelson Mandela was coming to the end of his state visit in front of adoring London crowds, lawyers and officials were putting the finishing touches to the statement pronouncing the royal fairytale dead.
Indeed, Mr Mandela's regal progress had proved the perfect showcase for the new slimmed down House of Windsor - a flawless production, lacking neither style nor glitz for want of Di.
Throughout the week, every member of Queen Elizabeth's family had been on hand to pay court to President Mandela. Even the queen mother made a rare appearance at Tuesday's glittering banquet.
Lawyers confirmed that "their royal highnesses", the prince and princess, had concluded settlement terms. But it soon became clear that Diana had lost the battle to retain her royal title.
In an attempt to sweeten the bitter pill (and presumably assure the public she was not being cast out in the cold) a palace statement said: "The Princess of Wales, as the mother of Prince William, will be regarded by the Queen and the Prince of Wales as being a member of the royal family. It has been agreed that her style and title will be Diana, Princess of Wales."
However, the cold beckons. Diana may not have to curtsy to the likes of Princess Michael of Kent. But nobody has to curtsy before her (although, of course, both her sons must be bowed to).
And there is apparent defeat, too, on the thorny issue of an "ambassadorial" role. The palace explained deftly that Diana's public role was essentially for her to decide.
However, as in the case of the royals proper, any representational duty would only be undertaken at the request of the sovereign. Neither the present incumbent, nor the next, is likely to see much scope in that department.
And the "queen of people's hearts" need not look to the queen's ministers for support. Mr Major neatly washed his hands of the affair declaring it "a private matter".
The private princess, then, is left counting her cash settlement and wondering which charities to endorse.
The consolation, at least, is that the charities and good causes are unlikely to conclude that not-Her-Royal-Highness, the Princess of Wales has lost her pulling power.