The world lost more than a princess when Diana, Princess of Wales, tragically died on August 31, 1997—it lost a symbol of grace, compassion, and resilience. But for her youngest son, Prince Harry, it was much more personal. At just 12 years old, he was thrown into a whirlwind of grief and confusion, struggling to process a loss he couldn’t fully understand. Over the years, conspiracy theories, official investigations, and public speculation have surrounded Diana’s death, but now, at 40, Prince Harry is breaking his silence and revealing the truth about what really happened that night in Paris.
Prince Harry Opens Up About Diana’s Death
For decades, the circumstances of Princess Diana’s fatal car crash have been shrouded in mystery. Official investigations by both British and French authorities concluded that the crash was a tragic accident, caused by the reckless driving of Henri Paul, the chauffeur of Diana’s car, who was found to be intoxicated. Additionally, the paparazzi chasing her car were blamed for adding to the chaos that led to the crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.
However, Prince Harry has never fully accepted the official narrative. In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Harry hinted that something never felt right about the way his mother’s death was handled. He described how he and his brother, Prince William, had deep doubts about the investigation and even considered reopening the case to find the real truth. Harry also revealed how his father, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), struggled to comfort him, failing to provide the emotional support he so desperately needed.
“Instead of a hug, my father just put his hand on my knee and said, ‘It’s going to be okay.’ But it wasn’t okay.”
Harry also shared that he retraced his mother’s final moments, driving through the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in 2007 to better understand what had happened. But what he discovered only raised more questions than answers.
The Conspiracy Theories That Won’t Go Away
One of the most sensational theories surrounding Diana’s death suggests that Prince Charles and the British establishment orchestrated her fatal accident. This claim gained momentum when Paul Burrell, Diana’s former butler, revealed a note she had written in 1993, expressing fears that her husband might “arrange an accident” to get rid of her.
Adding fuel to the fire, Diana’s former lawyer, Lord Mishcon, reported that she had confided in him about a plan to remove her from the royal scene, which allegedly involved tampering with her car. Diana’s fears were not entirely unfounded, especially given that the Anglican Church did not allow divorced individuals to remarry at the time, making Prince Charles’ future with Camilla Parker Bowles uncertain.
Another widespread theory claims that Diana was pregnant with Dodi Al-Fayed’s child, and that the British royal family could not tolerate the idea of the mother of the future king marrying a Muslim Egyptian. Mohamed Al-Fayed, Dodi’s father, was a firm believer in this theory, alleging that the crash was a planned assassination. However, official investigations found no evidence of a pregnancy, and Diana’s close friends dismissed the idea, stating that she was not looking for marriage at the time.
Unanswered Questions About the Crash
While official reports state that Henri Paul was drunk, CCTV footage from the Ritz Hotel on the night of the crash tells a different story. The footage shows Paul walking normally, interacting with staff, and appearing composed—far from someone three times over the legal alcohol limit. This discrepancy has led many to question the validity of the toxicology reports.
Additionally, reports revealed that Paul’s blood contained unusually high levels of carbon monoxide—levels that would have made him physically incapable of driving. Some experts suggested he may have been poisoned, while others claimed the test results were tampered with.
Another mystery surrounding the crash involves a white Fiat Uno, which reportedly clipped Diana’s Mercedes moments before the accident. Despite an extensive search for the vehicle, it was never found, fueling suspicions that it played a key role in the crash.
Prince Harry’s Search for the Truth
Harry has always felt haunted by the inconsistencies surrounding his mother’s death. Over the years, he has pushed for answers, questioning why the royal family was so quick to move on and why so many details about the crash were left unresolved.
In his interviews, Harry has been open about the trauma he endured following Diana’s death. For nearly two decades, he bottled up his emotions, leading to anger issues and self-destructive behavior. It wasn’t until his late 20s that he sought therapy and finally confronted his unresolved grief.
One of the most emotional moments in Spare was when Harry revealed that he had asked to see the police files from the crash. He wanted to understand exactly what happened to his mother, but was warned against looking at the most disturbing images. When he finally saw the last photos of Diana, he was struck by how ordinary she looked—“like she was just sleeping.”
“I was looking for proof that she was really gone, but all I saw was a woman robbed of her future.”
The Royals’ Reaction to Diana’s Death
One of the most controversial aspects of Diana’s passing was the royal family’s response. The Queen and Prince Charles remained at Balmoral Castle for several days after the crash, leading to public outrage. Headlines accused the monarchy of coldness and indifference, forcing the Queen to deliver a rare televised speech, in which she praised Diana’s legacy.
However, Charles’s genuine grief was evident behind closed doors. Witnesses reported that he was devastated when he heard the news, letting out a cry of pain and breaking down in tears. Despite their rocky marriage, he insisted on flying to Paris to bring Diana’s body back to London, personally overseeing the arrangements.
In the years since, Charles and Camilla’s relationship has been fully accepted, but Diana’s shadow still looms large over the monarchy. Even in death, she remains one of the most beloved figures in British history, and her legacy continues to shape the royal family today.
Final Thoughts: What Now?
At 40, Prince Harry is still searching for closure. While he has accepted the official explanation of Diana’s death as an accident, he believes that many questions remain unanswered. His distrust of the institution that raised him has played a major role in his decision to step away from royal duties and move to the United States with Meghan Markle.
Diana’s legacy lives on through Harry’s activism, particularly his work in mental health awareness, charity, and humanitarian efforts—causes that were close to his mother’s heart.
But one question remains: Will we ever know the full truth about what really happened to Princess Diana? Or will the unanswered questions surrounding her death continue to fuel speculation for generations to come?
