The People's Princess 20 years on
The princess, arguably the most famous woman in the world, lost her life aged 36 on August 31, 1997, following a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris, France.
As these pictures from our archives show, the princess visited Derbyshire on a number of occasions and was always met by adoring crowds.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe regularly consulted Derbyshire psychic, Rita Rogers, and classed her as such a good friend that she even bought her a bath.
Speaking to us in 2001, Rita said: “I loved her to bits and still do – she was a very big believer in my work.
“Diana and I shared the same star sign – cancer.
“She said, ‘us cancers have got to stick together because we’re a breed of our own’.
“And when she came to visit, she loved coffee and bananas.
“I know she’s very happy now and extremely proud of her boys. She is very happy and I think it’s important for the public to know that.
“I feel she’s doing as good a job as she did down here.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn 1997, the princess and Dodi Fayed – her boyfriend who also died in the crash – arrived at Rita’s home in Lower Pilsley in a Harrods helicopter.
Rita spoke of another time when the princess asked her: “If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?”
Rita replied: “I said a bath.
“I suffer from osteoporosis and hadn’t had a bath in five years – I had to have showers.
“Diana said, ‘consider it done’.
“Within a week, I had a beautiful bath installed with a chair to lower me in.
“Diana was a very warm person.”
Grassmoor’s Paul Burrell, the former butler to the princess, described her as an ‘incredible, unique and inspirational woman’.