19 years ago: Princess Diana's tragic death shocks the world

On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident at the age of 36. Her tragic death stunned the world.

Diana, Princess of Wales, was traveling through Paris with boyfriend Dodi Fayed. The limo was being chased by photographers and crashed in a tunnel.

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Fayed and the driver were killed at the scene. Princess Diana was rushed to local hospital and died two hours later.

Fayed and the driver later tested positive for alcohol and drugs, as the limo was driving nearly twice the speed limit.

Many blamed the paparazzi for the accident, saying they were "literally chasing her to her death."

Princess Diana was a beloved figure in Britain and around the world. Nearly one billion watched her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981.

She was well known for her philanthropic work, benefiting children, the homeless, the disabled and people suffering from AIDS.

“Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her,” Queen Elizabeth II​ said to the nation in an address the week after Diana’s death.

Conspiracy theories have surrounded Diana's death. One theory was that the royal family was embarrassed by the divorce, and orchestrated the accident.

Another suggested she was pregnant with Fayed's baby, but was covered up by the government.

It's been 19 years since Princess Diana died. Watch Prince Harry & Prince William explain why she was so special: pic.twitter.com/A1Nsb7O7ZF

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 31, 2016


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.