After years of conspiracy theories, the official UK police inquiry into the Paris car crash that killed Princess Diana and her friend Dodi Al Fayed has concluded it was a "tragic accident". "There was no conspiracy to murder any of the occupants of that car," said Lord Stevens, who led the three-year investigation.
The findings reveal chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit. They also put to rest rumours that Diana was pregnant or engaged.
"We have spoken to many of her family and closest friends and none of them indicated to us that she was either about to or wished to get engaged," said Lord Stevens. "Prince William has confirmed to me that his mother had not given him the slightest indication about such plans for the future," he added.
Lord Stevens said he hoped the report would "bring some closure to all who continue to mourn the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, Dodi Al Fayed and Henri Paul".
The 832-page document will form part of the inquest - due to resume next year - into the deaths, which happened in August 1997. Over 400 people, including Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the heads of MI5 and MI6, were interviewed. Lord Stevens is confident that none of the legal cases being pursued by Dodi's father, Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, "will have any bearing on my conclusion that there was no conspiracy or cover-up".
The 36-year-old mum-of-two and her companion, neither of whom were wearing seatbelts, died after the Mercedes in which they were travelling was involved in an accident after being chased by paparazzi. Diana's British bodyguard Trevor Rees was the only passenger to survive the crash in the Paris' Pont d'Alma tunnel.
In a Clarence House statement Princes William and Harry have expressed their gratitude for the thorough way the investigation was handled and "trust that these conclusive findings will end the speculation surrounding the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales".
Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, and her sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, also supported the report. "We have been briefed on the conclusions of the inquiry and agree with them entirely, and look forward to reading the full report in detail," their statement said.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
