The check was received by Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, at the princess' London home, Kensington Palace.

Lady McCorquodale responded with enthusiasm: "We are both touched and overwhelmed by the scale of the response to Elton John's single from the very many people around the world who have bought it."

Elton John, with equal enthusiasm, said, "It's fantastic to have been able to make this initial payment to the fund and know that this money will be going to benefit the charities and causes so close to Diana, Princess of Wales' heart."

"Candle in the Wind," in fact, took only five weeks to outsell the 1942 hit, "White Christmas" sung by Bing Crosby. Over 33 million copies of the new hit have been sold worldwide.

Diana's seemingly secular sainthood seems now assured, a large measure of social good being done minus references to traditional religious pleas.

Already tens of millions of dollars have been collected. The Memorial Fund was set up by Diana's lawyers in response to public pressure demanding a centralized locale where donations could be made.

One corporate donor sent a company check for nearly five million dollars. Children send pocket change. Diana's favorite charities, including AIDS causes, land mine elimination and children's hospitals are the beneficiaries.

Mohamed al-Fayed, the father of Emad Mohamed al-Fayed, Diana's friend who was killed with her August 31 in Paris, pledged approximately $15 million to hospitals where Diana's attention was focused.

Elton John's offering of proceeds from the sales of his newest mega-hit, makes him one of the largest donors. Earlier projections of the recording's sales had stood at only $15 million, a projection that has now more than doubled.

A video of Elton John's tribute to Diana combines performance coverage by the BBC and Sky News. The beloved musician was reported to have told friends that he will never again perform "Candle in the Wind" on stage.

Another charity album includes work by former Beatle Paul McCartney, Sting, and the Rolling Stones.

Richard Branson, the multibillionaire owner of Virgin Airlines who made his original fortune on the Virgin record label, said, "I think there are millions of people around the world who want something positive to come out of Diana's life."

People who wish to donate money to AIDS groups Diana supported may contact The National AIDS Trust in London which has opened a memorial fund. Checks and postal orders can be sent to: National AIDS Trust Princess Diana Fund, 188-196 Old Street, London EC1V 9FR, UK. Credit card donations can be telephoned on +44 171 814 6746 . Or, perhaps, some may wish to work as an AIDS volunteer in their own neighborhoods.