The death of Princess Diana
| On Aug. 31, 1997 Britain's Princess Diana was fatally injured in a high-speed automobile accident in Paris. Diana, 36, was riding in the back seat of a Mercedes with her recent companion, Dodi Fayed. The car was being pursued by "paparazzi" photographers on motorcycles, and many blamed them for the crash. However, later reports also indicated that Fayed's chauffeur, Henri Paul, was legally drunk. Both Fayed and Paul were killed in the crash. Diana was still alive but died two hours later at a Paris hospital. |
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 Above left, the wreckage of Fayed's Mercedes. Above right, Diana's casket being carried to a plane to return her to England. |
Here are significant dates in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales. |
 The wedding of "Chuck and Di" seemed like a fairy tale come true. |
July 1, 1961: Lady Diana Frances Spencer is born, the daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer.
July 29, 1981: Married Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, at St. Paul's Cathedral, while millions watched the ``fairy tale wedding.'' He is 12 years her senior.
June 21, 1982: Prince William Arthur Philip Louis born.
Sept. 15, 1984: Prince Harry (Henry Charles Albert David) born.
June 15, 1992: After months of speculation about the state of the royal marriage, Andrew Morton's book Diana: Her True Story says Charles has had a longtime affair with a married woman, Camilla Parker Bowles, driving Diana to injure herself and attempt suicide.
Aug. 25, 1992: The Sun newspaper prints transcript of phone call monitored in December 1989 between Diana and a man who affectionately calls her ``Squidgy.''
 Diana with Fayed a few weeks before they died. |
Dec. 9, 1992: Prime Minister John Major announces to Parliament that Diana and Charles are separating but there are no plans for divorce.
Jan. 12, 1993: The Sun publishes transcript of intimate phone call said to be between Camilla and Charles, reportedly monitored December 1989.
June 29, 1994: In a TV documentary, Charles says he had committed adultery after the marriage broke down,``us both having tried.''
Oct. 3, 1994: Anna Pasternak's book Princess in Love says Diana had five-year affair with her riding instructor James Hewitt.
Nov. 20, 1995: In a television interview Diana admits adultery with Hewitt.
 Charles with sons William and Harry. |
August 1995: Reports link Diana and rugby star Will Carling. Carling and wife separate Sept. 29.
December 1995: Charles receives letter from Queen Elizabeth II urging divorce, and he agrees.
Feb. 28, 1996: Diana agrees to divorce.
Aug. 28, 1996: Final decree of divorce
Aug. 31, 1997: Diana killed in Paris automobile accident. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, also is killed.
