The tragic love story of Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed: what gift the princess gave her lover and why not everyone believes in their romance

The news of Princess Diana's affair with the son of Egyptian billionaire Dodi Al-Fayed, the former wife of King Charles III and mother of dukes Harry and William, was almost the main sensation of 1997. Royal biographers and British subjects are still wondering how this affair could have ended.

Some facts undoubtedly indicate that when the lovers died in France, they could have gotten engaged, but Diana's family is sure that it was just a way for her to forget her previous romance. The story of Lady Di and Dodi Al-Fayed's short-lived love affair is the subject of the sixth season of the Crown series on Netflix.

The beginning of the affair

The first episodes will show the couple's yacht trip, where their feelings are rumored to have started. In the summer of 1997, the billionaire's son invited his girlfriend and her sons on vacation, where they had a great time.

Prince Harry spoke enthusiastically about this trip in his Spare memoirs. Photos from the yacht were spread in the media. Since then, Diana has not hidden her relationship with her new chosen one.

However, it is worth noting that they met 10 years before, when the princess was married. Her parents were friends with the Egyptian billionaire, so they often saw each other at polo or social events.

A special gift

To start an affair with Lady Di, Dodi Al-Fayed left his fiancée, actress Kelly Fisher. The princess gave him special cufflinks that belonged to Diana's father.

10 years after the couple's death, the media published the deceased's letters, where she wrote, "Dear Dodi. These cufflinks were the last gift I received from the man I loved most in the world, my father. I am giving them to you because I know he would be happy knowing they are in such safe and special hands. Love, Diana".

Theories and facts

The backstage of their affair remained secret for a long time. It was rumored that Al-Fayed simply wanted to become famous at the expense of the name of a woman who, after her divorce from Prince Charles, appeared in all the media. Diana's friends claimed that the mother of the princess was hoping for an easy affair.

However, these theories are shattered by the facts. After the tragic death of the stars in Paris, a ring with the inscription "Say yes" was found in Dodi's apartment. According to the receipt, he had purchased the jewelry shortly before the accident.

Based on the memoirs of Dodi's father, the ring, and letters, many people assume that the couple died just before the marriage proposal.

A tragic ending

On that fateful day, August 30, the paparazzi accompanied Diana and Dodi from Le Bourget Airport near Paris as they headed to Villa Windsor. The driver managed to escape from the press car, so the couple drove to the restaurant in peace.

Already in the Chez Benoit restaurant, photographers caught the lovers again, so they went to the Ritz Paris hotel to eat without prying eyes.

After dinner, the stars drove to an apartment belonging to Dodi, not far from the Champs Elysees. However, in pursuit of the paparazzi, their car had an accident in the Parisian Pont d'Alma tunnel. Dodi died instantly. Diana was pronounced dead in the hospital in the early morning hours of August 31.

This news came as a shock to the whole world. On September 5, the coffin with the princess's body was delivered to Kensington Palace, and the funeral procession began on September 6. About three million people and members of the royal family came to say goodbye to Lady Di.

As the coffin was being carried past Queen Elizabeth, she confidently broke protocol by bowing to someone lower in status for the first and the last time. Read more about the burial here.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the sixth season of the Crown series featured a Ukrainian singer. You can find out who it is and what role she plays here.

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