Princess Diana's death on August 31, 1997, continues to captivate the world, with shocking secrets and conspiracy theories fueling debate more than two decades later.
Official investigations by British and French authorities concluded that Diana died in a tragic car crash in Paris caused by the reckless driving of the chauffeur Henri Paul, who was intoxicated, and the pursuing paparazzi. The verdict, reached after extensive inquiries, was "unlawful killing," citing negligence but no premeditated foul play.
However, numerous conspiracy theories have persisted, alleging a royal cover-up or intentional plot to silence Diana, fueled largely by the deeply emotional public response and the involvement of figures close to the monarchy. Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Diana's boyfriend Dodi Fayed who also died in the crash, was one of the loudest proponents, accusing members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and Prince Philip, of orchestrating the tragedy.
One key piece of previously undisclosed evidence was a note Diana wrote in 1993, warning her solicitors that she feared for her life and believed there were plans for an accident due to her and Camilla's position in the royal marriage drama. Yet official inquiries, including Operation Paget led by the Metropolitan Police, dismissed these claims as embellishments without credible evidence.
Diana's revealing 1995 BBC Panorama interview exposed the turmoil in her marriage and arguably set in motion the Queen's decision to urge their divorce. The interview itself was preceded by a controversial setup involving forged bank statements to gain Diana's trust, which later caused scandal and scrutiny of the BBC's journalistic ethics.
Rumors that Diana was pregnant with Dodi Fayed's child and that their engagement was impending added to the theory that the monarchy saw her as a threat. Nonetheless, investigators found no preparation for such a public announcement, calling these claims speculative.
Documentaries and investigative reports continue to examine the final years of Diana's life, the night of the crash, and the actions of all parties involved, seeking answers but often raising more questions. The mystery and myth surrounding her death endure, symbolizing the clash between a tragic personal story and a powerful institution determined to protect its image.