Statement by Prince William and Prince Harry
Prince William and Prince Harry have issued a statement about the outcome of the six-month Inquest into the death of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Prince William and Prince Harry at Diana’s funeral in 1997
The jury found that Henri Paul, the driver of the car in which Diana and Dodi Fayed died, was guilty of “unlawful killing” by “gross negligence” for being under the influence of alcohol and driving too fast. The paparazzi photographers who followed the car were effectively guilty of “manslaughter”.
The Princes’ statement is as follows :
We should like to thank the members of the Jury at the Inquests into the deaths of our mother and Dodi Al Fayed for the thorough way in which they have considered the evidence. We agree with their verdicts, and are both hugely grateful to each and every one of them for the forbearance they have shown in accepting such significant disruption to their lives over the past six months.
Both of us are much indebted to the Coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, for his unfailing courtesy, and for all the consideration shown by him and his staff not only to us but to all those involved in this hearing. We are particularly grateful to Trevor Rees, and to others who came forward to give evidence – in many cases reawakening their painful and personal memories.
Finally, the two of us would like to express our most profound gratitude to all those who fought so desperately to save our mother’s life on that tragic night.
I think most of us would agree with the sentiments expressed.
Splendid statement, and to me it sounds like it was composed by the Princes, not Clarence House PR staff. It sounds very like the statement Prince Harry read at the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for Princess Diana, similar in it’s phrasing and vocabulary.
I read this morning that Mr. al Fayed is planning to appeal the verdict, which I hope he will not do.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Yes, Gigi, it’s hard to believe the appetite this man has for self- and other-punishment. This morning, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said he hopes the Inquest will be an end to it. He should put pressure directly on Fayed, who doesn’t have a British passport.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
If Mr. al Fayed has no British passport, how is he a resident in Great Britain? Was he born in Great Britain? I had not heard this before.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
He was refused one in the 1980s when the Department of Trade and Industry said he was not a fit person to hold a British passport. That was when he was handing out cash in “brown envelopes” to get a few MPs to ask questions on his behalf.
Quite how he managed to buy Harrods and spend time over here is a mystery. I think he’s what’s called a “non-dom”, someone who contributes to the economy by employing people but who doesn’t live here to pay tax.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Gigi, the non-dom situation is being dealt with by additional taxes right now. The “brown envelopes” escapade resulted in a number of MPs retiring in disgrace. Mohamed Fayed survives though — at least for now.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Max Hastings’s article in today’s Daily Mail is worth reading on this subject. Read it here.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
The statement does have the air of a PR release from Clarence House. However, it is sincere and who cares if they got help in a release. It is not their expertise.
As for Mr. al Fayed, it is time he went to live else where. If he is so stupid as to think The Queen can have people killed he is a danger to his own sanity and an undesireable.
If he appeals this verdict he can do so from abroad.
I must add that it is time for mature adults to say goodbye to Diana and let her (and her children) be at peace.
By DANIEL WILLIAM SULLIVAN on April 8th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thank you for providing that link, John. The details in the article were very distasteful, but if true, needed to be said. I do not know British law regarding foreign nationals, nor what latitude they are permitted in a country not their own, but I think it would behoove the government to look into curbing such behavior in the future, for all our sakes. I do not doubt that there are people like al Fayed all over the world, but this is Britain, and I would like to believe that the standard is higher in the UK, as it always has been heretofore. It is hard to play in the mud and emerge unsoiled.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Gigi, Max Hastings is a former editor of the Telegraph and a very experienced journalist of high quality. He would not write as he does without good cause. I can back up many of his statements from my own experience.
By John on April 8th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
What you say John and Max Hastings article says much that I did not knoe, I know that the UK has been a soft touch for too many for to long but I did not know Mr Harrods was not a UK citizen-can’t we ship him off somewhere, somrwhere not very nice!
When watching the BBC news last night all details o the inquest verdict was accompanied by pictutres of the gorgeous Diana which brought tears to my eyes as I thought we shall not see her like again. Then I thought to myself yes we will dv have the hope not of a second Diana but a fitst Kate/Catherine. I think that this feeling is shared by RA ers.
By Royalist on April 8th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Thanks for the tip of the photos, Royalist, she looks lovely, as usual. Also, if you look at all the photos of Kate, there are a number of her at Klosters with Prince William, and in some of them he is talking and looking quite the reverse of the ones we saw heretofore in the press, i.e., head down, looking away. I think the press purposely published the glum photos just to promote their agenda.
Regarding al Fayed, it would be interesting to know why he left his native Egypt, and, moreover, why he seems to have no interest in returning there on a permanent basis.
By Gigi on April 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I know I am going to be outnumbered when I say this. I am a bit of a bleeding heart. I just feel very sory for him & his loss. He obviously needs someone to blame & hasn’t dealt with his loss at all.
I really just want the Diana inquests to stop mainly because of the damage I am sure it has caused to her children. As for him staying here I don’t know this is probably more his home now then Egypt & there are a lot of people here doing a lot worse i.e not working or contributing to the economy, living off of the state and draining the UK’s medical & education system as well as commiting criminal acts.
I always think of my father and how he would have reacted in a situation like this and where as I don’t think he would have gone to court or talked to the press I know the devastation would have almost killed him…
It’s just another point of view. Please don’t get too angry with a bleeding heart.
By Jackie Mccoy on April 8th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
The picture above, of Prince William and Prince Harry at Diana’s funeral, speaks volumes. Mr Fayed should look at the pain on those two young faces and realize the longer he keeps his conspiracy sideshow going, the longer that pain will continue to engulf William’s and Harry’s daily life. The jury has spoken and the verdict of “unlawful killing” has been laid at Mr. Fayed’s feet. It’s time to move on. Forget the appeal. There is nothing else to glean from continuing the spectacle.
By Arthur on April 8th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I understand very well all you say, Jackie, and your compassion does you credit. My own grandparents lost a child and never recovered from the grieving. However, grieving the loss of a child and engineering a crash and burn publicity campaign wherein you blame everyone possible of murder and conspiracy to murder are two very different matters. I am glad the inquest was convened, proceeded thoroughly and that it was conducted to the highest standards. The jury has rendered a verdict based on the evidence. Even if it is impossible for Mr. al Fayed to accept the verdict, he needs to be silent and proceed no further with an appeal nor with any further accusations.
By Gigi on April 9th, 2008 at 1:38 am
BBC.com is reporting that Mohamed Al Fayed is abandoning his campaign to prove Diana and Dodi died because of a conspiracy. He says he’s letting it go for the sake of Prince William and Prince Harry.
I pray that he will follow through on that pledge!
By Evelyn on April 9th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Completely off-topic: I read in theherald.co.uk (letters) that the Scots do not recognize Queen Elizabeth as “the second” because Elizabeth I wasn’t their queen. The same is true of Edward VII.
What will this mean for Charles and William when they come to reign? How will they be recognized by their Scottish subjects?
By Evelyn on April 9th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Mohamed Fayed gave a tearful interview to Trevor Macdonald on ITV last night in which he said he was dropping his accusations. He will “leave it to God” to get the “revenge” he still thinks he deserves.
I make no comment.
By John on April 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Evelyn, Elizabeth was Queen before the Union with Scotland, so our present Queen is Elizabeth I of Scotland. It shouldn’t make any difference to Harry, but William may end up with a different number in Scotland, depending on which name he chooses as King.
By John on April 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I too feel sorry for Mr Fayed, even though he comes across as half-crazy at times. The one thing I can’t understand is why they don’t give him British citizenship. Hasn’t he contributed a huge amount of money to the British economy, and doesn’t this count for anything? To me, it just makes the Brits look bad. Does anyone else feel the same?
By miki on April 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
i understand that al Fayed lost his son..however…two young men lost their mother. for them to have to witness their mother’s name being dragged through the mud (the naming of former lovers, her mother (their grandmother) calling her a whore..not to mention other personal details that are no one’s business..what that had to do with the inquest is beyond me..
any thoughts???
lets hope al fayed means what he says and finally does but it to rest – unfortunately burrell will continue to try and make a buck off her…so sad..
By coni on April 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I may be naive, but I find Paul Burrell’s behavior the most shocking revelation of the inquest. If, as he claims, he was in the confidence of Princess Diana, how could he possibly justify his betrayal of her now, and his disloyalty to her sons? If money is his sole motivation, then we know what to think of him.
By Gigi on April 9th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Furthermore, I must add that an extremely hot region of the netherworld will freeze over before I contribute a single cent to that man’s ill-gotten gains by purchasing any of his books.
By Gigi on April 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
i’m with you Gigi…karma will take are of it…
By coni on April 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Gigi I agree. Paul Burrell’s behavior was by far the worst. In my opinion I think he has probably been motivated by money, greed and fame. Does he even still work?
By Jackie Mccoy on April 9th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
He’ll have to. He will discover soon, if he has not already, that the money he has made thus far will not go far in ultra-expensive Florida.
By Gigi on April 10th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Burrell’s website had to be taken down because of “hate mail”. Diana fans are beginning to realize he’s a snake in the grass, living off her memory. I can’t see his sales of her memorabilia doing well now in America.
By John on April 10th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Daniel, I agree with you. It’s time everyone moved on. Fayed has withdrawn his claims, so perhaps the next generation will move centre-stage now.
By John on April 10th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Miki, Max Hastings’s article will tell you all you need to know. Read it here.
By John on April 10th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I feel sorry for Al-Fayed, in spite of his appalling behaviour towards certain people in the witness stand, like Hasnat Khan and Kelly Fisher.
Burrell will just have to manage as best he can in America now, as he may face arrest if he returns to Britain. Lord forgive me but I can’t say I’ve much sympathy for him.
By kit on April 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
What about his appalling behaviour towards the Duke of Edinburgh, a man of 86 with a heart condition? Or all the others, including Tony Blair and Diana’s sister, Sarah, he accused of being part of “the murder plot”. All have suffered needlessly for 11 years. Maybe their “revenge” is more pertinent than his.
By John on April 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I agree that al Fayed’s behavior has been appalling, even heinous. It is one thing to believe and even say that you believe someone was murdered. It is quite another thing to accuse specific persons of being murderers and conspirators in a murder plot. His accusations were completely unfounded, but for ten long years, aspersions were cast, quite publically, upon people who were innocent. Mr. al Fayed is very fortunate that he will not face the consequences for his behavior in court.
By Gigi on April 10th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
just wanted the bbc video clip…william towers over charles – i knew he was taller but didnt realize he was “that” much taller! also, love how william couldnt get out of there fast enough and kate was trying to keep up…:)
By coni on April 11th, 2008 at 9:40 pm