Often referred to as the “People’s Princess,” Diana earned this title through her warmth, compassion, and genuine connection with ordinary people. Her kindness and humanitarian work left a lasting impact, and she remains a figure who profoundly influenced both Britain and the monarchy.
Diana rose to international prominence following her engagement to Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the British throne. From the moment her relationship became public, she lived under intense media scrutiny. Paparazzi relentlessly documented her life — a level of attention many believe contributed to the tragic events that followed.
At the time of her death in 1997, her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, were just 15 and 12 years old.
Princess Diana lost her life after a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris. She was traveling with her partner, Dodi Fayed, the son of Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, along with driver Henri Paul and bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones. The vehicle crashed while reportedly attempting to evade pursuing paparazzi.
Xavier Gourmelon, one of the first emergency responders at the scene, later recalled the events of that night. In an interview reported by The Independent, he explained that when he arrived, the crash initially appeared to be a standard traffic accident.
“The car was in a mess and we just dealt with it like any road accident,” he said. He added that it seemed like a typical emergency situation involving speed and a driver who had been drinking.
Gourmelon noted that Diana appeared to have only a minor shoulder injury and no visible blood. He held her hand, encouraged her to remain calm and still, and reassured her that help was there. She was conscious at the time and reportedly said, “My God, what’s happened?”
Believing her injuries were not life-threatening, Gourmelon was later shocked to learn that she died the following day at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. Reports state that she suffered massive internal injuries, including a ruptured blood vessel that led to fatal internal bleeding.
Her funeral was watched by an estimated 2.3 billion people worldwide, reflecting the extraordinary global grief that followed her passing. Diana’s death deeply affected millions, and her memory continues to resonate decades later.
Mohamed Al-Fayed, whose son Dodi died at the scene, maintained that the crash was not simply an accident.
Princess Diana remains one of the most beloved figures of her time. Her legacy of compassion, empathy, and humanitarian work continues to inspire people around the world.
