This is a photo of the magazine cover that HELLO! was due to publish on 6 September 1997. The striking image of Princess Diana on holiday, now free to steer her own course and mulling her next move, never made it to press. Instead, the appalling news from Paris of Diana's death on 31 August meant that that week's issue had a darker and tragically different cover.
This HELLO! cover was never published due to the Princess' sudden death
The statuesque beauty contemplating the azure waters of the Mediterranean must have thought the possibilities in her life were as limitless as the horizon. Looking down to sea, Diana seemed to communicate that she was ready to take the plunge into a new role. She had been the world's most famous Princess-bride and then the poster girl divorcee; she had been a celebrated fashion plate who could make a designer's reputation; she had been a healing angel soothing the sick and the afflicted; she had been adored and had then withstood the shocks as the tabloid media grew ever more critical.
Diana was about to engineer her most dazzling and audacious reinvention yet. The Princess was hoping to become a roving global British ambassador, flying into trouble spots to promote her favoured humanitarian causes. She'd even organised media training to allow her to make in-depth documentaries devoted to her campaigns. Today, Diana would perhaps be the most brilliantly connected humanitarian on the planet, an inspiration to stars like Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and Shakira, with a social media reach running into the millions.
Princess Diana passed away on 31 August
In honour of the late People's Princess, HELLO! has released its own special anniversary tribute. Diana graced our cover more than 80 times and there was rarely a week when she failed to appear somewhere in our pages, whether it was for her flawless fashion or the charity campaigns to which she devoted herself so courageously. Focusing on the meaning of Diana's legacy today, the collectors' edition contains 148 pages of incredible pictures, anecdotes and first person accounts from her friends, favourite designers and those who saw her close up at work with the sick and disadvantaged.
Don't miss HELLO!'s ultimate souvenir edition celebrating the Queen of Hearts, on sale now. Look back at her life through 148 pages of beautiful images and revealing interviews with those who knew Diana best. Her fashion, her inspirational charity work and love for the sons who now carry her flame forward — it's all there in this unmissable HELLO! special.