Among Princess Diana’s most iconic images is a photo of her in an aqua blue swimsuit, sitting on a diving board over the ocean. The photo was taken during her vacation with Dodi Al-Fayed on a yacht in the French Riviera before her tragic death in August 1997. The Crown's sixth season attempts to portray the complexity of their relationship, although the scenes were filmed in Mallorca instead of the French Riviera.
Diana was invited by Mohamed Al-Fayed, a friend and businessman, to vacation in Saint-Tropez with her sons in July 1997. The invitation came at a good time as she had just broken up with surgeon Hasnat Khan and Prince Charles was throwing a lavish birthday party for Camilla Parker Bowles. Diana and her sons spent quality time on the yacht and enjoyed their vacation.
The cameras, however, followed Diana everywhere she went. She approached the paparazzi boats and struck a deal with them to pose for a few shots in exchange for leaving her and her kids alone. The New York Times reported in 1997 that Diana was cooperative with the press to show her freedom from the British establishment after Camilla's birthday party. However, the media frenzy intensified after helicopters flew over the yacht.
Furthermore, there were other complex elements to the vacation. Dodi was already engaged to American actress and model Kelly Fisher, and their wedding was scheduled for the next month. Dodi left Fisher in Paris to join Diana on the yacht, where they spent time together. Fisher soon became aware of their relationship and sued Dodi for breach of contract.
Prince William, Diana's son, grew concerned about the vacation and expressed his discomfort with the situation. The relationship between Diana and Dodi was short-lived, and it is believed that it was orchestrated by Mohamed Al-Fayed himself. Diana suspected that Dodi might propose, but she stated that she would not have accepted.
Despite the complexity of the situation, Diana enjoyed the privacy and the attention from Dodi. He showered her with gifts and was a sympathetic listener. However, their romance was not meant to last, and their tragic final days in Paris were filled with constant media attention.
