Diana's tragic demise in a car accident in the Alma's bridge tunnel in Paris elicited global grief and intense media scrutiny.
Criticism was directed at the royal family for what many perceived as an insensitive response to the sudden loss of the Prince of Wales' former wife.
The shock surrounding Diana's death became a breeding ground for numerous conspiracy theories that persist to this day. These theories often suggest the possibility of Diana being the victim of a deliberate plot.
Conspiracy theories thrive in the face of unexpected events, providing a way for individuals to navigate chaos by attributing meaning, identifying evidence, and assigning blame.
Celebrity deaths, particularly that of Princess Diana, have become a focal point for conspiracy theories. While specifics may vary, many of these theories converge on a common narrative: that Diana was assassinated, possibly orchestrated by the royal family or British authorities.
As a researcher of conspiracy theories, I explore the language and persuasiveness behind these narratives, which empower individuals to become "DIY detectives." In the realm of famous deaths, this often entails concluding that someone benefits from the demise, leading to suspicions of murder.
Official investigations, like Operation Paget initiated by the British police to examine conspiracy theories surrounding Diana's death, seek to answer what happened. In contrast, conspiracy theorists ask the question of cui bono – who benefits.
A fundamental aspect of many conspiracy theories is "teleological thinking," where events or inconsistencies are assigned specific functions or meanings. Such theories reject the existence of imperfect systems, human error, or random coincidences.
Diana's death was marked by confusion and chaos, attributable to probable human errors and mistakes. Conspiracy theorists raise questions about the circumstances, questioning the delayed arrival of the ambulance, the swift clearance of the tunnel by emergency crews, and malfunctioning surveillance cameras.
A mind inclined towards conspiracy will interpret these as intentional actions to worsen Diana's condition or conceal evidence of her murder. However, the reality, as often revealed by investigations, is more mundane. The Paget report, based on all available evidence, concluded that Diana's death resulted from a tragic accident, not a conspiracy.
In the absence of irrefutable evidence, internal speculation serves as a substitute. Mohammed Al-Fayed, Dodi's father, publicly accused the royal family of murder, prompting Operation Paget to refute these claims. Yet, conspiracy theorists remain skeptical of official evidence.
Various forms of evidence, including alleged premonitions and psychic predictions, are cited by conspiracy theorists. Claims that Diana foresaw her own death based on a letter to her former butler and warnings from a spiritual advisor have been debunked by Paget's investigation.
While Diana's statements about being perceived as a threat by the royal household may be disconcerting, they alone do not substantiate the theory of her murder.
