Britain's Camilla pulls out of Diana service

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) The wife of Britain's Prince Charles said today she had decided not to attend a memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, said she did not want to distract attention from the commemoration of Diana's life.

Charles's former mistress is blamed by many for breaking up his marriage to Diana. One of Diana's former closest friends, Rosa Monckton, told a Sunday newspaper that Camilla's presence would have been ''deeply inappropriate''.

In a statement, Camilla said she had been ''touched'' to be invited to the event by Charles and Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, but had decided to stay away.

''I accepted and wanted to support them,'' she said. ''However, on reflection, I believe my attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion which is to focus on the life and service of Diana.'' Former royal press officer Dickie Arbiter said it was the right decision.

''I think a lot of people felt it was inappropriate that she attend this particular memorial service,'' he told BBC television. ''At the end of the day, she shouldn't have gone.'' Diana died in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997, with her companion Dodi al-Fayed.

The service to mark the anniversary of her death is due to take place in an army chapel near Buckingham Palace on Friday.

More than 30 members of Britain's royal family, including Queen Elizabeth, are due to attend.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and singer Elton John are among 500 invited guests. William and Harry are to give readings.

Camilla said she was grateful to Charles, who is next in line to the throne, and his sons, for supporting her decision.

REUTERS MS RN2151