On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana, 36, died tragically in a car accident in Paris. Diana, Princess of Wales, had been traveling with an entourage that included her partner, Dodi Fayed, when their car crashed in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Diana was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
The circumstances of the crash remain contested to this day. Initially, French authorities had concluded that the driver of the car, Henri Paul, was intoxicated and driving too fast. However, an official British inquest into her death found that the crash had been caused by a combination of factors, including the erratic driving of Paul, followed by a pursuing paparazzi.
The outpouring of public grief and shock at the death of Princess Diana was unprecedented. Millions of people around the world gathered in front of their television sets and in public processions to pay their respects. Flags were flown at half-mast and thousands of bouquets of flowers were left near the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The legacy of Princess Diana lives on in her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, whose public philanthropy has been credited to the example set by their mother an emphasis on charitable work and public service. Diana was an icon to many people who felt a strong connection to the Princess for her strength in the face of adversity. Her death is a reminder of how even the greatest figures are not invincible, and how precious life is.
On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana, 36, died tragically in a car accident in Paris. Diana, Princess of Wales, had been traveling with an entourage that included her partner, Dodi Fayed, when their car crashed in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Diana was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
The circumstances of the crash remain contested to this day. Initially, French authorities had concluded that the driver of the car, Henri Paul, was intoxicated and driving too fast. However, an official British inquest into her death found that the crash had been caused by a combination of factors, including the erratic driving of Paul, followed by a pursuing paparazzi.
The outpouring of public grief and shock at the death of Princess Diana was unprecedented. Millions of people around the world gathered in front of their television sets and in public processions to pay their respects. Flags were flown at half-mast and thousands of bouquets of flowers were left near the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The legacy of Princess Diana lives on in her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, whose public philanthropy has been credited to the example set by their mother an emphasis on charitable work and public service. Diana was an icon to many people who felt a strong connection to the Princess for her strength in the face of adversity. Her death is a reminder of how even the greatest figures are not invincible, and how precious life is.