The Death of Princess Diana: What Caused the Accident and What Were Her Last Words?
The night of August 31, 1997, marked one of the most tragic chapters in the history of the British royal family and the global media. Princess Diana died in a car accident in the Alma Tunnel in Paris. Her death caused a massive public outcry and led to years of investigations.
One of the main questions following the tragedy was who exactly was responsible for the death of the “Princess of Hearts.”
Immediately after the crash, much of the public outrage was directed at the paparazzi who had been chasing the Mercedes-Benz W140 carrying Diana and her companion, Dodi al-Fayed.
Several photographers were detained at the scene of the tragedy on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and failure to render aid to people in danger.
However, after a two-year investigation, French investigating judge Hervé Stéphane closed the criminal case against nine paparazzi and a motorcyclist on September 3, 1999.
The investigation determined that, despite the photographers’ intrusive behavior, they were not the direct cause of the loss of control of the vehicle.
Among the main factors that led to the tragedy were:
- Excessive speed. The Mercedes was traveling at over 100 km/h in a zone where the speed limit was 50 km/h. The driver was trying to shake off his pursuers.
- The driver’s condition. Henri Paul, the driver for the Ritz Hotel, was under the influence of alcohol and medication. His blood alcohol level was approximately three times the legal limit.
- Lack of seat belts. Diana and Dodi al-Fayed were not wearing seat belts during the drive.
A separate investigation in the United Kingdom was named Operation Paget. Its findings were made public in 2006.
British investigators generally confirmed the findings of the French investigation. Consequently, the paparazzi were not held criminally liable for the accident itself.
The photographs of Diana taken in the final days and hours of her life became some of the most talked-about images in the history of global photojournalism.
A few days before the tragedy, the paparazzi photographed Diana while she was vacationing on the al-Fayed family’s yacht in the Mediterranean Sea.
In these shots, the princess looked relaxed, tanned, and at ease. The photographs quickly spread through the global media and painted a picture of her new, happy life.
Among the last authentic video footage of Diana taken during her lifetime are recordings from the security cameras at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
In them, the princess and Dodi walk through the lobby and enter the elevator a few minutes before midnight. Diana is smiling, though it’s clear she’s tired from the constant media attention.
Particularly chilling is a shot taken by a photographer seconds before the car entered the tunnel. It shows Diana in the back seat, camera flashes, as well as bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones and driver Henri Paul.
In July 1997, the Princess of Wales visited Bosnia, where she participated in a campaign against the use of anti-personnel mines.
While speaking with reporters, she emphasized her desire to devote her life to humanitarian work.
“I want to help people who are in need. Society must understand that what matters most is showing concern and compassion for those who have been forgotten.”
Diana also spoke repeatedly about her desire to have a private life away from the constant scrutiny of Buckingham Palace and the British press. She hoped that, over time, her charitable work would become more important than the rumors about her personal life.
Diana’s last words immediately after the accident were heard by French firefighter Xavier Gourmelon, who was among the first to arrive at the wrecked car and assist the victims.
According to his testimony, the princess, who was still conscious, asked in a disoriented manner:
“My God, what happened?”
In English, this phrase sounded like: “My God, what’s happened?”
After that, Diana lost consciousness. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, they were unable to save her.
At 4:00 a.m. on August 31, 1997, Princess Diana’s heart stopped at La Salpêtrière Hospital.
Diana’s death was not only a personal tragedy for her family and millions of fans, but also a turning point for global journalism.
The tragedy intensified debates about the limits of paparazzi work, the right of public figures to privacy, and the responsibility of the media.
In France and the United Kingdom, attention to the protection of privacy increased following the princess’s death, and the work of photojournalists became the subject of a major ethical reevaluation.
Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, will publish a book titled *Swan Song: Diana, My Sister* in the United Kingdom on September 22. In it, he recounts his sister’s life and the week of her death, according to The Guardian World.
A property in the UK linked to significant events in Princess Diana’s life has been put up for sale. It was there that she first spoke openly with Camilla Parker-Bowles about her romance with Prince Charles.
