HEARTS across the nation broke when the death of Princess Diana was announced in 1997 – and many still remember where they were when they first heard the heartbreaking news.
But how did Princess Diana die and how old was she?
Princess Diana, also known as Diana Frances Spencer – died on August 31, 1997, after suffering fatal injuries in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris.
The tunnel is located in the heart of the French capital next to the River Seine.
Her companion Dodi Fayed and driver and security guard Henri Paul were also killed in the crash.
Diana’s bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was severely injured, but survived the crash.
In the days after her death, a sea of flowers and tributes were left outside the gates of Kensington Palace in an enormous outpouring of public grief.
Diana’s funeral was held on September 6, 1997, at Westminster Abbey and was shown on British television – attracting an audience of 32.1million viewers.
An inquest held in London concluded in 2008 that the Princess had been unlawfully killed, blaming the crash on grossly negligent driving by Paul and the pursuing of paparazzi vehicles.
Seven weeks before her death, Diana reportedly expressed concerns she would be killed in an establishment conspiracy.
It was after her friend, fashion designer Gianni Versace, was shot dead by Andrew Cunanan outside his Miami mansion in 1997.
On the morning after his murder, Dodi’s bodyguard Lee Sansum found Diana on the yacht’s deck gazing out to sea, the Express reported.
According to the paper, she asked him: “Do you think they’ll do that to me?”
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, bodyguard Lee Sansum said he is adamant she would be alive today if he had been with her on the night she died.
He told The sun how how security guards drew straws to accompany bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones in the car, and he lost.
Lee said: ”It could have been me in that car.
“We drew straws to see who would be accompanying Trevor that weekend. I pulled a match and it was a long one.
“When I learned they were not wearing seatbelts in the crash I understood why they didn’t survive. That shouldn’t have happened.
“It was standard practice for the family to wear seatbelts. It was an order sent down from the boss, Dodi’s dad Mohamed Fayed. Dodi, in particular, hated wearing seatbelts and I always insisted on it.”
Princess Diana was born Diana Spencer on July 1, 1961 – was 36 years-old when she died.
In 1975 she became Lady Diana Spencer after her dad inherited the title Earl Spencer.
On July 29, 1981, she married Prince Charles at St Paul’s Cathedral and became the Princess of Wales.
She also had the titles Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay and Countess of Chester.
The Royal couple had two sons, Prince William, born in 1982 and Prince Harry in 1984.
The separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales was announced to Parliament in 1992.
Diana was best known for her charity work which included supporting campaigns relating to Aids, leprosy, landmines and animal protection as well as being president of charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
In the years following her death, a number of memorials were commissioned and dedicated to the People’s Princess – including several in London.
Prince Harry and Prince William issued a rare joint statement to announce a statue of Princess Diana to be unveiled on what would have been her 60th birthday.
The artwork was originally commissioned in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of their mum and to recognise her positive impact on the world.
Kensington Palace said the installation has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic – but was later unveiled by her sons on July 1, 2021.
In a rare statement, William and Harry said: “Our mother touched so many lives.
“We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy.”
A memorial garden at Kensington Palace was unveiled to mark the 20th anniversary of Diana’s death.
The White Garden is inspired by the Princess’ life and style.
The Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park was opened by the Queen in July 2004.
The design aimed to reflect Diana’s life with water flowing from the highest point in two directions.
It cascades and swirls before the two streams meet in a calm pool at the bottom.
In June 2000 a memorial playground was opened next to her Kensington Palace home, featuring a huge wooden pirate ship.
Princess Diana final resting place is in grounds of Althorp Estate – which has been the Spencer family home for centuries.
The actual area for burial is on an island in an ornamental lake known as The Oval within Althorp Park’s Pleasure Garden.
Earlier plans for her to be laid to rest in the family’s vault in the nearby Great Brington church were abandoned due to concerns about security and safety.
The private burial was held following her funeral with family in attendance.
