Polls & Research

Diana’s Death an Accident for Most Britons

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Britain believe the explanation provided for the death of Princess Diana is correct, according to a poll by ICM Research released by BBC Newsnight. 62 per cent of respondents think Diana’s death was a tragic accident, while 31 per cent believe there is something suspicious about her demise.

Prince Charles—first in line to succeed Elizabeth II as Britain’s monarch—married Diana in 1981. The couple separated in 1992, and divorced in 1996.

The princess and companion Dodi Al Fayed died in a car crash on Aug. 31, 1997 in Paris, as photographers were chasing their vehicle. Nine photographers were charged with manslaughter after the accident, but they were all eventually cleared by a French court. Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, said after his sister’s death he had "always believed the press would kill her in the end." An investigation concluded that the driver of Diana and Dodi’s vehicle was both speeding and under the influence of alcohol.

In October 2007, an official inquest into Diana’s death began in London. Justice Scott Baker said the investigation would "allay speculation and rumour" about the accident. On Apr. 7, the 11-person jury concluded that the events amounted to "unlawful killing" due to the negligence of the paparazzi and driver Henri Paul.

The official inquest lasted six months, involved 250 witnesses, and cost British taxpayers almost $6 million U.S. 78 per cent of respondents think the investigation was a total waste of money.

Dodi’s father—businessman Mohamed Al Fayed—maintains that the couple were about to announce their engagement, and that they were murdered by British secret service agents, acting on the instructions of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Polling Data

Which of the following is closest to your view?

Princess Diana’s death was a tragic accident	62%
There is something suspicious about the death of Princess Diana	31%
Refused	2%
Don’t know	6%

The inquest into the death of Princess Diana has cost nearly 3 million pounds. Which of the following is closest to your view?

The Inquest was worth it to discover the truth	19%
The Inquest was a total waste of money	78%
None of these	1%
Refused	1%
Don’t know	2%

Source: ICM Research / BBC Newsnight
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,010 British adults, conducted on Apr. 2 and Apr. 3, 2008. No margin of error was provided.