Why won’t they let Diana rest in peace?

More than a decade after her tragic death in August 1997, Princess Diana’s name is again being dragged through the mud in the British press.

The Coroner’s Inquest into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed has been taking place at London’s High Court since 2 October 2007.  But the inquest, which has so far cost British tax payers more than £1.3 million, has failed to shed any new light on Diana’s death.  Unless you call the revelation by Paul Burrell that Diana’s mother once called her a ‘whore’ an enlightened moment.

So far, the only people who have gained anything from this inquest are the British press, whom after several years, finally have something new to print about the deceased Princess of Wales.  Fleet Street are lapping up every sordid detail of Diana’s love life, which is appalling when you consider the woman is no longer here to defend herself.

This inquest comes after years of speculation, rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding the deaths of Diana and Dodi Al Fayed in Paris on the night of 30 August 1997.  The most controversial theory being Diana and Dodi’s deaths were orchestrated by a British intelligence agency.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never believed Diana’s death to be anything more than a tragic car accident. Preventible? Certainly. But orchestrated by MI6 on the orders of the royal family? Hardly.

At a pre-inquest hearing held on 27 July 2007, Lord Justice Scott Baker determined a list of likely issues for the inquest:

1. Whether driver error on the part of Henri Paul caused or contributed to the cause of the collision.
2. Whether Henri Paul’s ability to drive was impaired through drink or drugs.
3. Whether a Fiat Uno or any other vehicle caused or contributed to the collision.
4. Whether the actions of the Paparazzi caused or contributed to the cause of the collision.
5. Whether the road/tunnel layout and construction were inherently dangerous and if so whether this contributed to the collision.
6. Whether any bright/flashing lights contributed to or caused the collision and, if so, their source.
7. Whose decision it was that the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed should leave from the rear entrance to the Ritz and that Henri Paul should drive the vehicle.
8. Henri Paul’s movements between 7 and 10 pm on 30 August 1997.
9. The explanation for the money in Henri Paul’s possession on 30 August 1997 and in his bank account.
10. Whether Andanson was in Paris on the night of the collision.
11. Whether the Princess of Wales’ life would have been saved if she had reached hospital sooner or if her medical treatment had been different.
12. Whether the Princess of Wales was pregnant.
13. Whether the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed were about to announce their engagement.
14. Whether and, if so in what circumstances, the Princess of Wales feared for her life.
15. The circumstances relating to the purchase of the ring.
16. The circumstances in which the Princess of Wales’ body was embalmed.
17. Whether the evidence of Tomlinson throws any light on the collision.
18. Whether the British or any other security services had any involvement in the collision.
19. Whether there was anything sinister about (i) the Cherruault burglary or (ii) the disturbance at the Big Pictures agency.
20. Whether correspondence belonging to the Princess of Wales (including some from Prince Philip) has disappeared, and if so the circumstances .

I seriously doubt whether we’ll ever really know the answers to these and many other questions surrounding Diana’s death.  Call me cynical.  But even if we did, no amount of answers will satisfy those who cannot accept the tragic loss of a woman who was loved the world over.  But even if we don’t understand why she was taken from this earth.  We have to let her go.  It is because we loved her that we should let her rest in peace.