The world’s heart broke 28 years ago when Princess Diana’s extraordinary life was cut short in a tragic car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.
At just 36, the beloved royal was admired not only for her compassion and humanitarian work but also cherished as a devoted mother to Prince William, then 15, and Prince Harry, then 12.
The Tragic Night in Paris That Ended Princess Diana’s Life
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)That summer, Diana appeared to be stepping into a new chapter with her partner Dodi Fayed, the son of Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. But in the early hours of August 31, their car left the Ritz Paris hotel and was pursued by paparazzi.
(Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)Moments later, it collided with a pillar inside the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Dodi and driver Henri Paul were killed instantly, while bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was badly injured but survived. Diana was rushed to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, where doctors fought for hours to save her before she was pronounced dead at 4 a.m.
Diana’s Final Moments & Last Words
(Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)Witnesses later recalled the chaos of the crash. “There was this huge, violent, terrifying crash followed by the lone sound of a car horn,” witness Jerome Laumonier told People magazine.
Firefighter Xavier Gourmelon, one of the first responders, revealed in a 2015 interview with The Independent that Diana briefly regained consciousness.
“My God, what has happened?” she asked, before slipping unconscious again. Gourmelon performed chest compressions and initially believed she would survive. He later learned of her fatal internal injuries. “The memory of that night will stay with me forever,” he said.
Bringing Diana Home & the World’s Grief
Serge Lemoine/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesBritish Foreign Secretary Robin Cook confirmed news of Diana’s death. As per Fox News, Cook said, “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.”
(Photo by Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Prince Charles, along with Diana’s sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, traveled to Paris to accompany her body home.
Her butler, Paul Burrell, and driver, Colin Tebbutt, stayed by her side in the hospital. “It was his sad duty to supervise her going into the casket and the way she looked,” a friend told People magazine.
(Photo by Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images)The world mourned together, and millions lined the streets of London for her funeral, with her sons walking behind her coffin in one of the most poignant royal images of the century.
Princess Diana’s Legacy
In the years since her death, Diana has been remembered as the “People’s Princess” for her compassion, humanitarian work, and devotion to her sons. Her life and legacy have been revisited in films, books, documentaries, and in Netflix’s “The Crown.”
Her sons have also spoken candidly about their final phone call with her, which took place while they were at Balmoral Castle.
Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images“Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say goodbye, you know, ‘See you later,’” William recalled in the 2017 documentary “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy.”
Harry added, “I can’t really necessarily remember what I said, but all I do remember is probably regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.”
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Though her life ended too soon, Diana’s legacy of kindness and love continues to inspire generations across the world.
