The True Story of Princess Diana’s Death

In the early hours of August 31, 1997, a tragic car accident in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris, France, claimed the life of Princess Diana. The vehicle she was traveling in, driven by Henri Paul, also carried her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed and bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, who was the sole survivor.

The events leading up to the fateful incident unfolded as follows: Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed had spent 10 days together on Mohamed Al Fayed’s yacht, the Jonikal, before flying from Sardinia to Paris on August 30, 1997. Their stay in the French capital was intended to be brief, as Diana was expected back in London on August 31 to reunite with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who were returning from Balmoral Castle.

The circumstances surrounding Princess Diana’s untimely demise have been extensively documented, providing a comprehensive account of the events that transpired on that fateful night.

The sequence of events on that fateful day unfolded as follows: Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed arrived in Paris around 3 p.m. and proceeded from the airport to Villa Windsor, the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, which had been acquired by Mohammed Al Fayed. Subsequently, they visited the Ritz Paris, owned by the Fayed family. During this time, Princess Diana spoke to her sons over the phone. While at the Ritz, Dodi visited the renowned Repossi jewelry shop located in Place Vendôme.

Early in the evening, the couple left the Ritz and headed to Dodi’s apartment on Rue Arsène Houssaye. Their initial plan was to dine at Chez Benoit around 9:30 p.m., but due to the presence of paparazzi, they returned to the Ritz. They first attempted to have their meal at the L’Espadon restaurant, but after 10 minutes, they decided to dine privately in the Imperial Suite. According to reports from the Associated Press, “Diana is reported to have ordered an appetizer of mushrooms and asparagus, followed by sole, while Dodi opted for turbot.”

The tragic events unfolded shortly after midnight when Princess Diana, Dodi Al-Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, decided to leave the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Paul, who was later found to be intoxicated, drove the Mercedes S280 through the back entrance around 12:20 a.m. Despite attempting to use a decoy car, the paparazzi quickly identified their vehicle.

Alarmingly, neither Princess Diana nor Dodi wore seatbelts, while their bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was reportedly the only one secured. Around 12:25 a.m., the car entered the Pont de l’Alma tunnel at an extremely high speed. Within seconds, Paul lost control, causing the vehicle to strike the 13th concrete pillar, roll over, and rebound off the right wall before spinning around to face the direction they had come from. This sequence of events ultimately led to the tragic outcome.

Dr. Frederic Mailliez, a French physician, happened to be driving through the tunnel at the same time as the accident occurred. Upon witnessing the crash, he promptly rushed to the wreckage.

“I walked toward the wreckage. I opened the door, and I looked inside,” he recalled years later. Inside the vehicle, he found four occupants – two appeared lifeless, showing no signs of breathing or reaction. The other two passengers on the right side were alive but in critical condition. The front passenger was screaming and breathing, able to wait briefly for assistance. However, the young female passenger was kneeling on the floor of the Mercedes, head down and struggling to breathe, requiring immediate aid.

Dr. Mailliez swiftly returned to his car, alerted emergency services, and retrieved a respiratory bag. “She was unconscious. Thanks to my respiratory bag… she regained a little bit more energy, but she couldn’t say anything.”

His prompt action and medical intervention proved vital in those critical moments after the crash.

Princess Diana’s tragic accident on August 31, 1997, in Paris, France, unfolded as follows:

At 12:27 a.m., emergency services received a call for assistance. Police and firefighters arrived at the scene, the Alma tunnel, at 12:40 a.m. Upon arrival, the driver, Henri Paul, and Dodi Fayed were pronounced dead. Witnesses reported that paparazzi continued taking photographs, leading to the arrest of seven photographers at the site.

According to Sergeant Xavier Gourmelon, a firefighter present, Princess Diana’s last words were “My God, what’s happened?” When she was extricated from the wrecked vehicle, she went into cardiac arrest. First responders performed CPR and rushed her to the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital.

Around 2 a.m., Princess Diana and her bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, arrived at the hospital, where medical professionals fought to save her life.

The report from CNN provides detailed information about the medical efforts made to save Princess Diana’s life after the tragic car crash in Paris. It highlights the extensive measures taken by the ambulance workers and surgeons to revive her and treat her injuries, including massaging her heart for two hours in an attempt to save her life.

Regarding the question of why Diana didn’t have more protection with her, the investigation report from Operation Paget sheds light on this aspect. According to the report, in 1994, at Diana’s own request, her official personal protection was removed as she wanted less intrusion into her private life. Prior to that, the Metropolitan Police Service’s ‘Specialist Operations’ Command routinely provided protection to her as a senior member of the Royal Family.

However, from 1994 onwards, Diana received such protection only if she was on an official visit that warranted security or if she was accompanied by members of the Royal Family who warranted protection in their own right, such as her sons. This decision to remove her personal protection was made at her own request, as she desired more privacy in her personal life.

The tragic news of Princess Diana’s death was announced to the world on August 31, 1997. At around 4 a.m. in Paris, the 36-year-old Princess of Wales was declared deceased. Six hours later, Dr. Alain Pavie, the head of cardiology at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, held a press conference to officially confirm her passing. The British ambassador to France, Michael Jay, was present and expressed the profound shock and grief felt by all at the loss of the beloved princess.

Later that day, the then-Prince Charles, accompanied by Diana’s sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, traveled to Paris to bring her body back to the United Kingdom. The funeral of Princess Diana was held on September 6, 1997, marking a somber and emotional farewell to a figure who had captured the hearts of millions worldwide.