Diana is said to have had a collision with Dodi Fayed hours before their deaths

The Princess of Wales, 36, had embraced a new life in the year after her divorce from Prince Charles, now 77, after a turbulent 15-year marriage.

She spent the summer of 1997 traveling extensively, visiting cities such as New York, Washington, DC and St. Tropez, in an attempt to escape the pressures of London life and public scrutiny. “Diana started a new life,” Wade said.

A royal photographer added: “Everything about her relationship with Charles, her great relationship with the kids – that side of her life was fine.”

After a heartbreaking breakup with cardiologist Hasnat Khan, Diana sought distraction and company.

Enter billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed, who invited Diana and her sons, Prince William, now 43, and Prince Harry, now 41, to his villa in St. Tropez in July 1997, where she met his son Dodi.