In the early hours of August 31, 1997, Princess Diana and her partner, Dodi al Fayed, were involved in a gruesome crash in a tunnel in Paris that claimed the lives of three of the four people in the car that night. Speeding twice the limit as they entered the tunnel, the car driven by an intoxicated chauffeur collided with a concrete pillar after losing control to miss another car in the tunnel. The chauffeur and Fayed passed by the time anyone had reached the car; the Princess was found in the back of the car still alive, along with her bodyguard (Hines 1). First responders arrived at the scene to find a critically injured Princess but believed she would pull through. Two hours after the accident, Princess Diana passed from her injuries at the hospital. But was this an accident? How was the People’s Princess being driven by a drunk driver through Paris in the early morning hours? Why was the car being followed by multiple paparazzi? How could the Princess have died if the first responder believed she would live? It is not a question of if it was an accident but of who killed her.
Princess Diana, or rather Diana Frances Spencer, remains one of the most beloved and iconic figures in modern history. Her caring nature and genuine compassion for others endeared her to people around the world. This analysis will delve into Princess Diana's character, highlighting her caring nature and examining the factors that contributed to her enduring popularity. After closely examining her actions, statements, and the impact she had on many social issues, it becomes clear that her legacy as the People's Princess remains a testament to her genuine character.
Diana was known for many things but her friendliness was one thing that preceded her the most. Princess Diana was a caring friend to everyone in her region and those out of her reach. She was known for her compassion, as demonstrated by her many charitable works. “They spoke to Diana as a normal person, a friend even. And that’s the way she spoke to the children,” said Barbara Summerfield, the British Red Cross vice president at the time, speaking about the Princess’s visits to a Red Cross adventure camp for children with disabilities (“Princess Diana - a strong supporter of the British Red Cross”, 1). She frequently visited hospitals, engaged with patients, and offered comfort to those in need. One of her most important philanthropic contributions is her work to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. In 1987, she became the first member of the British royal family to shake hands with an AIDS patient, challenging the stigma associated with the disease (Praderio, 1). Diana's willingness to embrace and comfort those suffering from terminal illnesses showed her genuine compassion and concern for the underprivileged. This movement greatly influenced the way the disease was perceived and those affected by it, emphasizing her compassionate nature. The Princess did not just consider the people of her country, but people around the world that were in crisis also.
Princess Diana was a passionate advocate for various social causes. She championed issues such as mental health awareness, landmine removal, and the welfare of children (John, 1). Her involvement in these causes wasn't merely symbolic; she genuinely cared about making a positive impact on society. Diana's commitment to advocating for these causes was not driven by obligation but by a profound sense of responsibility and empathy for those affected. “Rather than serving as an ‘icon of whiteness, privilege, race, and class superiority,’... Diana herself saw her role as advocating for those ‘rejected by society’, with whom she felt an ‘affinity’,” says gender and cultural studies scholar Jane Caputi (Amoako, 1). Her involvement in these issues made a tangible difference and inspired countless individuals to join her in these humanitarian efforts.
Diana was considered the People’s Princess as she did not let her status separate her from connecting with the people of England and the world. Princess Diana's popularity extended well beyond England's borders. She was affectionately referred to as the People's Princess and received immense adoration from people across the globe. Her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 was watched by an estimated 750 million people across 74 countries, attesting to her international appeal (“The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer”, 1). Diana's universal appeal can be attributed to her embodiment of the qualities that people universally admire in a public figure – kindness, empathy, and a commitment to social betterment. Her impact transcended national boundaries, making her a symbol of hope and compassion not just for the British but for humanity as a whole.
Princess Diana's caring nature and her unparalleled popularity, both in England and around the world, can be attributed to her extraordinary compassion, relatable personality, advocacy for social causes, and the profound impact she had on people from all walks of life. Her legacy endures, and her influence remains a testament to the enduring power of empathy, kindness, and dedication to making the world a better place. As she once said, "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day, someone might do the same for you.” (Spencer,1). Princess Diana's life exemplified this philosophy, and her memory continues to inspire us to follow in her compassionate footsteps.
With such a mysterious death with seemingly no answers being given to explain Diana's death to the public, rumors and theories start to spread. The official cause of death was ruled simply as grossly negligent driving that led to the fateful crash, but multiple conspiracy theories say it was overwise (“How Did Princess Diana Die?”, 1). Theories range from merely the paparazzi causing the collision to a ploy by her ex-husband to a planned assassination by high-powered government officials.
Starting with what is considered the tamest of these theories is that the mob of paparazzi chasing the princess’s vehicle that night caused Henri Paul, the unofficial chauffeur and head of security at the Ritz, to drive erratically and speed through the tunnel leading to the crash. As Diana and Fayed left out the back doors of the Hôtel Ritz Paris, they were quickly followed by paparazzi after the decoy vehicle didn’t draw them away as planned (“The True Story of Princess Diana’s Death” 1). Even Diana’s son, Prince Harry, believed the paparazzi were in some way involved in the crash if not the cause of it. Prince Harry stated this about the paparazzi after he had recreated the route in which his mother took that dreadful early morning, “Unless paps had chased and blinded him,” and “Why were those paps not more roundly blamed? Why were they not in jail?” (Adam 1). Although multiple photographers and a photo agency motorcyclist were detained by French officials for questioning as witnesses and even suspects, it was determined there was no physical evidence to secure criminal charges (Adam, 1). As a result of this event, many countries have amended their paparazzi conduct laws.
The second theory is more sinister because it is also thought that the now King Charles had a hand in the accident that killed his ex-wife and her new partner. It was known at the time that the then Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship was one of secrets and cold shoulders at the end. It was discovered during Operation Paget, the investigation into the various conspiracy theories surrounding Diana's death, that a letter had been found that was written by Diana in 1995 which read, "My husband is planning 'an accident' in my car, brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for Charles to marry." (“EYNTK about the Princess Diana’s Death Inquiry – and If Mohamed Al-Fayed’s Claims Hold Any Truth” 1). Those in favor of this theory and Diana believed that Charles wanted to use an accident as a ploy to marry their son’s nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, and that his now wife, Camilla, is merely a decoy (“What Was Operation Paget?”, 1). Ultimately, Charles was interviewed by British officials during Operation Paget and was found not to be officially linked to the crash, but he is still one of the popular suspects among the public.
The last conspiracy is that Diana Spencer and Dodi Al Fayed were killed by MI6 at the order of King Philip because Diana was believed to be pregnant with Dodi’s child. This conspiracy is most supported by Mohamed Al Fayed, Dodi’s father, and is what sparked the push for Operation Paget. Mohamed believed that the Princess of Wales was illegally embalmed on the instructions of the Palace to conceal the fact that she was pregnant with Dodi Al Fayed’s
Child. Dodi had also bought a suspected wedding ring in Paris to propose to Diana but unfortunately, both of their lives were cut short. Those who believe this theory believe that the British Government didn’t approve of Fayed's religious beliefs of Islam and feared that the Princess of Wales was associating with the Islamic faith. Mohamed also claims the rushed embalming of both Dodi and Diana in France purposely hindered the ability to perform a post-mortem exam in London on the bodies (“Diana, Princess of Wales: Did Mi6 Kill the Princess?”, 1). Fayed said, “Philip and Charles had saved the royal family from having the princess marry a Muslim and bear his child.” and "They murdered her." (Burns 1). This theory is one of the more complex of the group as its answers lie behind many closed doors and red tape which will likely never be answered, so there is just not enough evidence to conclude this as the truth.
The best answer the public will get in the foreseeable future will have to be that what event caused the accident in the tunnel that early morning forever changed England’s history and the citizens' trust in its government to tell the truth. Although the case was closed many people across the globe do not accept the given verdict that it was simply an accident caused by the intoxicated Henri Paul. Whether it was the accidental fault of the paparazzi’s stalking, her malicious ex-husband, Charles, who sabotaged the vehicle, or a planned assassination by the British government that caused the accident, nothing changes the fact the world might have been in a much better status if it had not been for the death of Diana Princess of Wales on August 31, 1997.
Adam, Karla. “Who Was to Blame for Diana’s Death? ‘The Crown’ vs. the Historical Record.” Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/11/24/the-crown-diana-death-paparazzi-driver/.
Amoako, Aida. The Goddess and the Princess: Why Diana Endures - Jstor Daily, 29 Aug. 2022, daily.jstor.org/the-goddess-and-the-princess-why-diana-endures/.
Burns, John F. “In Court, Mohamed al-Fayed Casts Wide Net of Conspiracy over Diana Inquest.” The New York Times, 9 Nov. 2008. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/world/europe/19iht-diana.1.10177168.html.
“Diana, Princess of Wales: Did Mi6 Kill the Princess?” LondonNet, www.londonnet.co.uk/diana-princess-of-wales-did-mi6-kill-the-princess/.
“Did Dodi Al Fayed Really Propose to Princess Diana?” Town & Country, 14 Dec. 2023, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a45863919/dodi-al-fayed-princess-diana-proposal-the-crown-true-story/.
“EYNTK about the Princess Diana’s Death Inquiry – and If Mohamed Al-Fayed’s Claims Hold Any Truth.” Cosmopolitan, 14 Dec. 2023, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a46127206/princess-diana-inquiry-conspiracy-theories/.
Hammond, Joseph. “Princess Diana Contemplated Converting to Islam, Says Ex-Royal Photographer.” Religion News Service, 26 Jan. 2022, https://religionnews.com/2022/01/25/princess-diana-contemplated-converting-to-islam-reveals-ex-royal-photographer/.
Hines, Ree. “How Did Princess Diana Die? The Facts about Her Death 25 Years Later.” TODAY.Com, 17 Aug. 2022, www.today.com/popculture/popculture/princess-diana-death-rcna43494.
“How Did Princess Diana Die? The Facts about Her Death 26 Years Later.” TODAY.Com, 10 Nov. 2023, https://www.today.com/popculture/popculture/princess-diana-death-rcna43494.
John, Tara. “Princess Diana’s Humanitarian Causes, 20 Years On.” Time, Time, 25 Aug. 2017, time.com/4914377/princess-diana-humanitarian-work/.
Praderio, Caroline. “This One Photo Shows Exactly What Made Princess Diana a Royal Icon.” Insider, 28 Aug. 2018, www.insider.com/photo-princess-diana-shaking-hand-aids-patient-1987-2017-8.
“Prince Charles Was Secretly Questioned over Princess Diana’s Scared Note: ‘My Husband Is Planning an Accident.’” Peoplemag, https://people.com/royals/prince-charles-questioned-over-princess-diana-scared-note/.
“Princess Diana - a Strong Supporter of the British Red Cross.” British Red Cross, www.redcross.org.uk/stories/our-movement/our-history/princess-diana-a-strong-supporter-of-the-british-red-cross. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.
Spencer, Diana. “Princess Diana Quotes.” BrainyQuote, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/princess_diana_154326.
“The True Story of Princess Diana’s Death.” Town & Country, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a45737126/princess-diana-death-true-story-explained/.
“The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer - History of the BBC.” BBC News, BBC, www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/july/wedding-of-prince-charles-and-lady-diana-spencer#:~:text=It%20was%20seen%20by%20a,Midday%20News%2029%20July%201981.
“What Was Operation Paget? All About the 3-Year Inquiry Into Princess Diana’s Death.” Peoplemag, https://people.com/what-was-operation-paget-princess-diana-death-inquiry-8412027.