One of the most legendary images of Princess Diana’s final days is undoubtedly where she appears sitting on the edge of a yacht’s diving board. What is the story behind the iconic photograph?
In the picture, a lone Diana in a sky blue swimsuit can be seen sitting on a trampoline as a seagull flies past her.
Princess Diana diving board: When and who took the photo?
The photo was taken by paparazzi Stephane Cardinale on August 24, 1997, just a week before the princess’s death at age 36.
“Yes, it’s a paparazzi photo, but it’s one that has gone down in history. This photo is Diana, it’s Lady Di and she only had eight days to live,” said Marc Brincourt, former editor-in-chief of photography for Paris Match.
This photo was to be used by Hello magazine for its September issue that same year, under the title “Diana’s Loneliness,” but the unexpected death of the princess in a tragic car accident changed everything.
The snapshot perfectly portrays the situation Diana was going through, estranged from the British Royal House and given to her last hope of finding love in the arms of Dodi Al Fayed, a young man, eldest son of millionaire Mohamed Al Fayed.
Diana was portrayed sitting, crestfallen and pensive on the trampoline of the Jonikal yacht, owned by her father-in-law.
In the last months of her life, the mother of Princes William and Harry had already overcome the difficulties of her marriage and was dedicated to her humanitarian work and enjoying a new relationship.
However, that aura of sad princess accompanied her until the end. The photo of Princess Diana sitting on the trampoline represents very well her character of a reflective and melancholic woman, despite having everything: love, children, health and money, many royal experts agree that Diana Spencer only lacked self-esteem.