The Summer Romance That Captivated the World: Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed
In the weeks leading up to their tragic deaths on August 31, 1997, Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's relationship captured the attention of people worldwide.
After her divorce from Prince Charles and the end of her two-year relationship with surgeon Hasnat Khan, Diana entered the summer of 1997 as a single woman.
It was during this time that she became romantically linked to Dodi, an Egyptian filmmaker.
Their love story began in July 1997 when they spent time together on a yacht owned by Dodi's father, Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire businessman and owner of Harrods department store.
The media quickly became obsessed with their whirlwind romance, making headlines in tabloid magazines.
According to royal biographer Judy Wade, Diana saw this as an opportunity for a fresh start.
She said, “Diana was starting a new life.
She had said, ‘I'm spreading my wings.'”
As the summer progressed, Diana and Dodi continued to spend time together.
They enjoyed yachting in the Mediterranean and entertained guests at Dodi's residences in London.
This only heightened the media's interest in their relationship.
However, the attention reached its peak when Diana and Dodi traveled to Paris on August 30, 1997.
Tragically, in the early hours of August 31, after leaving a romantic dinner at the Ritz Paris, they were involved in a car crash while trying to escape the paparazzi.
Now, let's take a closer look at the timeline of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's relationship:
1986: Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed meet at a polo match
Princess Diana and Dodi first crossed paths in 1986 at a polo match, where Dodi's team played against Diana's then-husband, Prince Charles.
This encounter was later depicted in season 5 of The Crown, although some details were altered for dramatic purposes.
During the same year, both Diana and Dodi experienced difficulties in their personal lives.
Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, while Diana allegedly began a five-year affair with Major James Hewitt.
Dodi, on the other hand, married model Suzanne Gregard but divorced shortly after.
April 7, 1992: Princess Diana attends the London premiere of Dodi Fayed's film Hook
In April 1992, Princess Diana attended the London premiere of Hook, which was produced by Dodi.
It was at this event that Dodi first noticed Diana.
According to screenwriter Jim Hart, Dodi had always admired her from afar and spoke highly of her.
December 9, 1992: Princess Diana and Prince Charles separate
Prime Minister John Major announced the separation of Charles and Diana in December 1992.
The official statement from Buckingham Palace emphasized that they had no plans for divorce and would continue to co-parent their children.
September 1995: Princess Diana begins a secret relationship with Hasnat Khan
Diana met heart surgeon Hasnat Khan on September 1, 1995, while he was attending to a friend undergoing heart surgery.
They later found themselves alone in a hospital elevator where Khan invited her to visit his relatives in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This marked the beginning of their secret relationship.
The love story between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed captivated the world, but tragically, it ended too soon.
Their romance was marked by intense media scrutiny and ultimately ended in a devastating car crash.
The legacy of their relationship continues to be remembered and discussed to this day.
