Royals

Princess Diana’s Cause of Death: How Did the Beloved Royal Pass Away?

evan real

Published

on


It’s been nearly two decades since Princess Diana died on Aug. 31, 1997. While the sadness of her tragic passing has never faded, many have forgotten how the beloved royal’s life was cut short at the age of 36.

One year after she divorced Prince Charles — the father of her two sons, Prince William, now 35, and Prince Harry, now 32 — Diana died in a fatal car crash. According to an official police report obtained by the UK’s Sunday People in 2014, the mom-of-two was unlawfully killed due to the negligence of chauffeur Henri Paul, who had been speeding away from pursuing paparazzi after leaving the Ritz Hotel.

MORE: Prince Harry Confesses He Suffered Panic Attacks Following His Mother Princess Diana’s Death

Henri (who had been driving under the influence) and Diana’s boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, were also killed in the collision. The only surviving passenger was bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones. Not long after the accident, Dodi’s father, Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed, claimed that the crash was orchestrated by the British government. “This is not an accident,” he said at the time, igniting years of conspiracy theories about Princess Di’s untimely death. “It is a plot, an assassination.”

princess diana harry william - getty

Diana, William, and Harry. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

As the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death draws near, she will be remembered in several upcoming documentaries — including HBO’s Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, which is set to premiere on Monday, July 24 at 10.p.m. EST. William and Harry — who were age 15 and 12, respectively, when their mom died — sat down together for the film to reflect on their mom’s legacy and her fun approach to parenthood.

MORE: How Princess Diana Once Tried to Save Her Marriage to Prince Charles

“She was one of the naughtiest parents,” Harry recalled in the movie. William echoed his younger brother’s remarks, saying, Diana “was very informal and really enjoyed the laughter and the fun” of raising two boys, and “understood that there was a real life outside of the palace walls.”

Trending News

Soap Opera5 days ago

As ‘Days of our Lives’ Turns 61, Deidre Hall Celebrates the Costar Who Became a Lifelong Friend

Soap Opera5 days ago

Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Shares a ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Update

Celebrity News4 days ago

Elizabeth Taylor’s Maybach, Which She Left to Her Hairstylist, Heads to the Barrett-Jackson Auction Block

Soap Opera4 days ago

Cait Fairbanks Returns to ‘The Young and the Restless’ After Seven Months Away

Jack Nicholson and son Ray Jack Nicholson and son Ray
Celeb Kids2 days ago

Jack Nicholson’s Son Ray Admits He ‘Can’t Talk About a Lot’ With 89-Year-Old Dad

Tragedy3 days ago

Patrick Duffy Explains How He Coped With His Parents’ Tragic Murder and Told His Sons

Celebrity5 days ago

Patrick Duffy Says ‘Dallas’ Filmed His Famous Shower Scene as a Fake Commercial to Hide His Return

Nostalgia3 days ago

‘Father Knows Best’ Alum, 88, Looks Unrecognizable in Rare Public Outing

Soap Opera4 days ago

‘Days of Our Lives’ Star James Reynolds Opens Up About Parkinson’s Diagnosis After 45 Years on the Soap

Betty White Bea Arthur Rue McClanahan Betty White Bea Arthur Rue McClanahan
Celebrity3 days ago

2 Beloved ‘Golden Girls’ Stars Answered the Call During World War II

DWTS Season 35 Team Dance DWTS Season 35 Team Dance
Reality TV4 days ago

‘DWTS’ Pro Smiles Through the Pain After Injury Ahead of ‘Grammy Night’

Valerie Bertinelli Valerie Bertinelli
Famous Families3 days ago

Valerie Bertinelli Wants Grandchildren, but Son Wolfgang Van Halen Isn’t Ready Just Yet