The tragic death of Princess Diana in a car accident on August 31, 1997, left an indelible mark on her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. In a poignant revelation, the princes opened up about their final conversation with their mother on the night she passed away. This disclosure came during the ITV documentary “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy,” which marked the 20th anniversary of her death.
Prince Harry shared the heartbreaking details, expressing his deep regret over the brevity of their last phone call. He admitted that while he couldn’t recall the exact words exchanged, he would forever lament how short the conversation was. Had he known it would be their final interaction, he would have cherished every moment and expressed himself differently.
Prince Harry’s words shed light on the profound impact of that fateful night, stating, “Looking back at it now — it’s incredibly hard. I have to deal with that for the rest of my life: not knowing that it was the last time I’d speak to my mum, how differently that conversation would have panned out if I’d had even the slightest inkling that her life was going to be taken that night.”
This candid revelation highlights the enduring pain and sense of loss experienced by the princes, even decades after their mother’s untimely demise. It serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.
Prince William provided a poignant recollection of the phone call he received from Balmoral, informing him of his mother’s tragic passing. He described the carefree moments he and Prince Harry were enjoying, unaware of the devastating news that awaited them. The memory of that fateful call remains etched in his mind, a stark contrast to their youthful innocence at the time.
Diana’s death occurred a year after her acrimonious divorce from Prince Charles was finalized, following a prolonged separation. Their fairytale wedding in 1981 had initially captured the world’s imagination, but it soon became evident that their union was strained due to their age gap and divergent interests. By 1992, their separation was announced, though divorce was not initially planned.
It was not until the Queen intervened with a stern letter that the couple’s divorce was permitted, a decision that did not come easily. In 1995, Diana’s explosive BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir further fueled the controversy, with her famous remark about “three of us in this marriage,” alluding to Charles’s long-standing relationship with Camilla, now the Queen Consort.
The infamous 1995 BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana, watched by 22.8 million viewers, caused immense embarrassment for the British royal family. In the interview, Diana criticized the monarchy’s need for modernization and referred to Prince Charles’s camp as the “enemy.” This plunged the royals into a crisis, with public opinion siding with Diana.
In response, Queen Elizabeth II wrote a letter to Diana, expressing her annoyance and informing her that after consulting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister, and Prince Charles, they had decided that divorce was the best course of action. The letter reportedly left Diana furious, as she felt forced into a divorce she did not want.
Days later, Buckingham Palace formally announced the divorce, stating that “after considering the present situation, the Queen, supported by the Duke of Edinburgh, gave them their view that an early divorce is desirable.”
The divorce between Prince Charles and Princess Diana was finalized on August 28, 1996, marking the end of their marriage that began with a grand fairytale ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. As part of the settlement, Diana reportedly received a lump sum of £17 million, along with an annual payment of £350,000 to run her private office. She was also permitted to retain her apartments at Kensington Palace. However, she lost her title of Her Royal Highness and was thereafter known as Diana, Princess of Wales.
