Princess Diana's Friend Says Her Explosive BBC Panorama Interview Contributed to Her Death
Princess Diana's close friend, Rosa Monckton, says her infamous BBC Panorama interview played a role in her untimely death.
- Years after her explosive, tell-all BBC interview, one of Princess Diana's closest friends says the sit-down contributed to the late royal's untimely death.
- Although Diana died in a car accident in Paris while reportedly dodging paparazzi, her good friend Rosa Monckton says that the BBC Panorama interview played a role in the situation that led to Diana's death.
- Monckton believes the BBC interview led directly to Diana losing her royal title and the protection of the royal family. "Had she retained it, she would have still been in the embrace of the Royal Family when in Paris on August 31, 1997," Monckton said.
Princess Diana did things her own way as a royal and no moment epitomized that more than her explosive, now-infamous BBC Panorama interview. In the interview, Diana got incredibly candid about her private life, including the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles and his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
According to Diana's close friend, Rosa Monckton, the late royal underwent a "sudden change" when she began meeting with journalist Martin Bashir about the tell-all interview.
"Diana changed from being very concerned with day-to-day matters, just like any normal friend, to suddenly becoming obsessed with plots against her," Monckton wrote in a piece for the Daily Mail.
Monckton said Diana "was in the grip of interviewer Martin Bashir, and there was not even a glimpse of the level-headed, fun-loving and compassionate person who was my friend" during the interview. What's more, Monckton sees the interview as an important turning point in Diana's life that "probably changed the course of history," and prompted divorce proceedings between Diana and her then-husband, Prince Charles. Because of the interview, Monckton believes those proceedings were rushed and that "decisions about their future were made hurriedly, with long-term implications not thought through."
This, according to Monckton, played a direct role in Diana's untimely death in Paris in August of 1997. In her Daily Mail piece, she writes:
"Among those decisions was the fact that Diana lost her royal title. Had she retained it, she would have still been in the embrace of the Royal Family when in Paris on August 31, 1997. And she would almost certainly not have been in the incapable hands of a speeding drunk driver employed by Mohamed Al-Fayed, who owned the Ritz Hotel where she and his son, Dodi, had dined."
Monckton's assertion comes on the heels of renewed allegations against the BBC claiming that Bashir manipulated and lied to Diana to secure the career-making interview with with the royal. Although the BBC initially denied these allegations, saying that they were investigated when they were first raised at the time of the original interview, the broadcaster has since announced plans for a "robust and independent investigation" into the issue.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"The BBC is taking this very seriously and we want to get to the truth. We are in the process of commissioning a robust and independent investigation. The recent stories have highlighted some concerning issues. The BBC must hold ourselves to the gold standard of journalism," Tim Davie, BBC's director-general, said, according to People.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
17 Chic Pieces for Transitional Dressing Made Easy
Including a Katie Holmes-approved jacket for $400 off.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Lady Gaga Performs in Full Moulin Rouge Glam—and Flamingo Feathers
The pop star is bringing her glamorous residency feathers to her highly-anticipated Paris performance.
By India Roby Published
-
Why Did Prince William Remove Queen Camilla's Sister From His Payroll?
She was hired by King Charles in 2005.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Royals, Paul McCartney, Nicola Coughlan, Salma Hayek... Was Taylor Swift's London Eras Tour Her Most Star-Studded Yet?
Imagine all the people........
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Confirms She Will Attend Trooping the Colour in a Heartfelt Update on Her Cancer Treatment
"I am making good progress."
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published