Princes 'deeply saddened' by Diana death picture
13th July 2006
The decision to publish the pictures has caused outrage amongst royalists in Britain
Princes William and Harry said today they were "deeply saddened" by the publication of a photo of Princess Diana taken moments after the car crash which killed her.
The photo, printed in an Italian weekly magazine Chi, shows the Princess being given oxygen in the Mercedes at the crash site in Paris in August 1997.
Royalists have criticised the move as "heartless", with one saying he was "sickened" by the thought of the photo and a member of a group dedicated to preserving Diana's memory saying those involved in taking and publishing the photo were "scum".
Editor of Chi magazine Umberto Brindani today defended the picture's publication, saying it was "touching" and "tender", not offensive.
But Harrods chairman Mohamed al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the car crash in Paris, said he was "sad and angry" that the Milan-based magazine had printed the image.
He said yesterday: "This heartless pursuit of money brings shame on those responsible for producing such a vile publication.
"It makes me sad and angry that a magazine would reproduce an image of the Princess as she clung desperately to life.
"The editor and the author, who probably have families of their own, have no thought for the feelings of those who loved the Princess, first and foremost her sons, the Princes William and Harry."
But when asked if Princes William and Harry might not find the photo offensive Mr Brindani said: "On the contrary I think they are the two people above all who want to know the truth."
He added: "She is not dead in the picture but looks as if she is a sleeping Princess."
The black-and-white photo under the headline "World Exclusive: The Last Photo" accompanies an article about a new book by French crime writer Jean-Michel Caradec'h.
It also includes autopsy diagrams charting the injuries the Princess suffered.
Caradec'h's book, Lady Diana: The Criminal Investigation, will include photos of Diana taken shortly after the accident.
Mr Brindani said: "I published the picture for a very simple reason - it has never been seen before.
"In my opinion it is not a picture which is offensive to the memory of Princess Diana. As a thorough and informative news magazine we have merely reported the publication of a book in France regarding Princess Diana's death.
"We carried an interview with the author and were provided material from a dossier which he acquired.
"The material from this dossier is in the book and includes the photograph as well as other documents.
"We were the first magazine to publish them but I understand that others in Europe - France and Spain - will also publish shortly."
Joan Berry, 62, joint secretary of the Diana Circle UK, said she thought those involved in taking the photo, and publishing it, were "scum".
Royalist Terry Hutt, 71, from Cambridgeshire, who met Diana on numerous occasions through his work with disabled and homeless people, said he was "sickened" at the thought of the photo.
dailymail.co.uk
13th July 2006
The decision to publish the pictures has caused outrage amongst royalists in Britain
Princes William and Harry said today they were "deeply saddened" by the publication of a photo of Princess Diana taken moments after the car crash which killed her.
The photo, printed in an Italian weekly magazine Chi, shows the Princess being given oxygen in the Mercedes at the crash site in Paris in August 1997.
Royalists have criticised the move as "heartless", with one saying he was "sickened" by the thought of the photo and a member of a group dedicated to preserving Diana's memory saying those involved in taking and publishing the photo were "scum".
Editor of Chi magazine Umberto Brindani today defended the picture's publication, saying it was "touching" and "tender", not offensive.
But Harrods chairman Mohamed al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the car crash in Paris, said he was "sad and angry" that the Milan-based magazine had printed the image.
He said yesterday: "This heartless pursuit of money brings shame on those responsible for producing such a vile publication.
"It makes me sad and angry that a magazine would reproduce an image of the Princess as she clung desperately to life.
"The editor and the author, who probably have families of their own, have no thought for the feelings of those who loved the Princess, first and foremost her sons, the Princes William and Harry."
But when asked if Princes William and Harry might not find the photo offensive Mr Brindani said: "On the contrary I think they are the two people above all who want to know the truth."
He added: "She is not dead in the picture but looks as if she is a sleeping Princess."
The black-and-white photo under the headline "World Exclusive: The Last Photo" accompanies an article about a new book by French crime writer Jean-Michel Caradec'h.
It also includes autopsy diagrams charting the injuries the Princess suffered.
Caradec'h's book, Lady Diana: The Criminal Investigation, will include photos of Diana taken shortly after the accident.
Mr Brindani said: "I published the picture for a very simple reason - it has never been seen before.
"In my opinion it is not a picture which is offensive to the memory of Princess Diana. As a thorough and informative news magazine we have merely reported the publication of a book in France regarding Princess Diana's death.
"We carried an interview with the author and were provided material from a dossier which he acquired.
"The material from this dossier is in the book and includes the photograph as well as other documents.
"We were the first magazine to publish them but I understand that others in Europe - France and Spain - will also publish shortly."
Joan Berry, 62, joint secretary of the Diana Circle UK, said she thought those involved in taking the photo, and publishing it, were "scum".
Royalist Terry Hutt, 71, from Cambridgeshire, who met Diana on numerous occasions through his work with disabled and homeless people, said he was "sickened" at the thought of the photo.
dailymail.co.uk