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As the sixth and final season of Netflix’s The Crown debuts, rehashing the final years of Princess Diana, attention has once again been called to her relationship with Dodi Fayed, who died tragically with the royal in a car crash in 1997.
The hit show first introduced Dodi in an episode in season five, where he was identified as the son of billionaire Mohammed Al Fayed, who owned Harrods department store and The Ritz Paris. Dodi was portrayed as a young man keen to carve out his own path, setting his sights on the Hollywood film industry. Within the royal family, the fifth season followed the slow unravelling of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ marriage. As Dodi and Diana eventually meet (again), their story is further explored in the latest season.
Dodi was born in Egypt on April 15, 1955, while Diana was born in the UK on July 1, 1961. Nevertheless, their paths eventually crossed and the two shared an intense love affair before the accident that shocked the world. While the couple tried to keep things private, tabloids persistently pursued them. And though they are primarily remembered for the public scrutiny they endured, the couple have a sweet history and were clearly besotted with each other before their untimely passing.
Below, we trace the beginning and tragic end of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed’s relationship.
1986: A Brief Encounter at the Polo
According to The Independent, Diana and Dodi first crossed paths at a polo match in 1986 at Windsor, where the princess watched her then-husband Prince Charles play.
In The Crown, Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, is portrayed as enjoying a warm encounter with Dodi’s father, Mohammad, who briefly introduces her to his son, Dodi, played by Khalid Abdalla.
1986: Dodi Gets Hitched
Despite his playboy lifestyle, which saw him linked to starlets like Winona Ryder and Brooke Shields, Dodi briefly married Suzanne Gregard. The marriage only lasted eight months, though, according to his obituary.
1997: From St. Tropez With Love
In 1997, Princess Diana had been separated from Prince Charles for three years when she was invited to enjoy a holiday in St. Tropez with Mohammad Al-Fayed, his family, and her children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
It was during this holiday that Dodi and Diana got to know each other and formed their connection.
After returning home, Diana reportedly wrote to “Darling Dodi” to express her gratitude for the trip. “This comes with all the love in the world and, as always, a million heartfelt thanks for bringing such joy into this chick’s life,” read the letter, according to the Associated Press. What happened after is a bit of a mystery, but rumours of lavish gestures from Dodi to Diana include filling a room full of roses and sending her baskets of exotic fruits.
Eventually, the two struck up a romance that immediately drew the world’s eye when The Sunday Mirror published paparazzi photos of them kissing and being affectionate while on a getaway. Not only did it confirm their relationship, but the photos sold for an alleged $2 million USD, spurring photographers to go to great lengths to capture the royal.
1997: The Kelly of it All
Elsewhere, drama ensued as it was alleged that Dodi was still engaged to model Kelly Fisher when he began pursuing Diana. Then, in a twist, Fisher hired celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred to take legal action against the heir for a breach of contract. In the lawsuit, she claimed that Dodi pressured her to put her thriving modelling career on hold to prioritise their relationship before leaving her high and dry.
In a famed press conference, Allred held up Fisher’s hand, which still donned the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that Dodi had given her. Allred reportedly said that Dodi “led [Fisher] emotionally all the way up to the altar and abandoned her when they were almost there. He threw her love away in a callous way without regard for her whatsoever.”
The suit also claimed that Fisher only learned of Dodi’s romance with Diana after the famous paparazzi photos were “published and circulated around the world to Miss Fisher’s utter dismay, shock and shame.”
August 31, 1997: Tragedy in Paris
After holidaying along the Mediterranean Sea, the couple wound up in Paris, where they spent the night at the Ritz, the hotel Dodi’s father owned. In the early hours of August 31, the two departed the hotel in a Mercedes-Benz car with their bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, and driver, Henri Paul.
Relentless pursued by paparazzi, Paul, who was found to be intoxicated and under the influence of drugs at the time, lost control after turning into the Pont de L’Alma tunnel and crashed. Dodi and Paul died immediately upon impact, while Diana briefly regained consciousness before succumbing to her injuries at a Paris hospital. Rees-Jones miraculously survived.
Though it’s never been confirmed, a spokesman for Mohammed claimed that Dodi had purchased an engagement ring just hours before their deaths.
The death of the ‘People’s Princess’ was mourned around the world, and after a mass outcry, an 18-month French judicial investigation ensued. No paparazzi were held accountable for the crash, but Paul alone was found to be responsible.
2005: Immortalised
In September of 2005, eight years after their passing, Mohammad Al-Fayed unveiled a bronze statue of the late lovers in a Harrods department store. It depicts the two holding hands and setting an eagle free together. Mohammad, who passed away at 94 in August of 2023, vigorously urged for further investigation into their deaths, as it was his belief that the accident was a planned assassination by the royal family. This conspiracy theory continues to spur fascination from the public and allegedly almost sparked an anti-royal revolution.
