On Aug. 31, 1997, the world lost Diana, Princess of Wales, in a car crash that sent shockwaves across the globe. She was only 36 years old.
The mother of Prince William, 15, and Prince Harry, 12, had been in Paris with her partner, Dodi Al Fayed. Pursued by photographers, their car crashed in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel after midnight. Al Fayed and the driver died instantly. Diana was rushed to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where doctors tried for hours to save her life before pronouncing her dead around 4 a.m.
The announcement triggered an outpouring of grief unlike anything Britain — or much of the world — had ever seen.
How did Princess Diana die?
According to reports at the time, Diana and Al Fayed had left the Ritz Hotel shortly after midnight in a black Mercedes driven by Henri Paul, who was later found to have alcohol in his system. Their car attempted to evade paparazzi by speeding into the Pont de l’Alma tunnel.
The vehicle struck a support pillar at more than 100 mph. Al Fayed and Paul were killed instantly. Diana’s bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was the only survivor, though he suffered severe injuries.
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Doctors said Diana went into cardiac arrest multiple times before her death. French officials later confirmed her cause of death as internal injuries sustained in the crash.
The backstory:
At the time of her death, Diana was newly divorced from Prince Charles and entering a new chapter of her life. She was widely known as “the People’s Princess,” admired for her humanitarian work on HIV/AIDS awareness and her advocacy for a global ban on landmines.
Princess Diana, pictured during a royal engagement, died in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997, at age 36 — a sudden loss that sparked global mourning and reshaped the British monarchy’s relationship with the public. (Getty Images)
Diana and Al Fayed had spent the summer traveling together, with their romance drawing intense media attention. In the days before the crash, the paparazzi closely followed the couple’s movements in Paris.
Public mourning and global reaction
What they’re saying:
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said after her death: “I am greatly shocked by this news. Our first thoughts must be with her children and family at this time of immense loss to them.”
In a statement outside Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth II said the royal family was “deeply shocked and saddened.”
Elton John later performed a reworked version of “Candle in the Wind” at her funeral at Westminster Abbey on Sept. 6, 1997 — a tribute that became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
In the week that followed, mourners left more than a million bouquets outside Kensington Palace. Crowds lined the streets of London for her funeral, watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.
The response forced the monarchy to confront its strained relationship with the public, leading to lasting changes in how the royal family interacts with the media and the nation.
Dig deeper:
Diana’s death also fueled years of speculation and conspiracy theories. A 2004 British police inquiry concluded there was no evidence of foul play, affirming that the crash was caused by reckless driving and Paul’s intoxication.
Her sons later spoke publicly about the impact of her death. In a 2017 documentary, Prince William said: “If I’d known now what was going to happen, I wouldn’t have been so blasé about our last phone call.” Prince Harry added that the loss left “a huge hole inside.”
Diana’s legacy
Nearly three decades later, Diana’s influence endures. Through the Diana Award charity, her work continues to inspire young leaders around the world. Prince William and Prince Harry have carried on her causes, from tackling homelessness to continuing the campaign against landmines.
Cultural tributes also remain constant. Films, documentaries, and even Netflix’s “The Crown” have revisited her story for new generations. In 2021, her sons unveiled a statue of her at Kensington Palace on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Her memory remains a defining force in British history, shaping both the monarchy and modern celebrity culture.
The Source: This report is based on archival FOX Television Stations coverage from 1997, along with reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, BBC, and historical records.