Princess Diana Dies in Paris Crash, Sparks Global Mourning

On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana, the beloved People’s Princess, died in a tragic car crash in Paris along with her partner Dodi Al-Fayed and their driver Henri Paul, who was found to be intoxicated. The crash occurred in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel as they tried to evade paparazzi, with only Diana's bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones surviving the accident. Diana’s death sparked immense global mourning and brought attention to her humanitarian work, including her advocacy for AIDS patients and landmine victims. Conspiracy theories about the crash have persisted, including allegations involving the British Royal Family and intelligence services, although official investigations concluded it was an accident caused by the driver’s intoxication. Her death intensified the royal family’s crisis, especially given her recent divorce from now-King Charles and her prominent role as a mother to Princes William and Harry. The world remembers Diana for breaking royal taboos and transforming the monarchy with her compassion and openness, while her funeral was watched by billions worldwide.