Was Princess Diana going to marry Dodi?

The enigmatic tale of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's romance is a narrative shrouded in both romance and tragedy, a story that ended abruptly beneath the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. In the wake of their deaths, a question lingered in the hearts of many: were Diana and Dodi planning to marry? The royal rumor mill, fuelled by the bereaved and insistent claims of Dodi's father, Mohamed al-Fayed, persisted in painting a picture of an imminent engagement, a union that would have blended royal tradition with the Fayed family's wealth and influence.The truth, however, is not easily discerned and perhaps forever lost to time. The Crown, Netflix’s royal drama, touches upon this question with creative license, portraying a narrative where a ring plays a central role, suggestive of marriage proposals and future plans. In the show, Diana, played with a poignant sense of humanity, is seen turning down Dodi's proposal, an artistic interpretation that adds to the tapestry of speculation that has surrounded their relationship.In the real world, the evidence is more ambiguous. A diamond ring did indeed exist, purchased in the romantic city of Paris for a sum that seemed modest for a man of Dodi's means. Was this ring a prelude to a marriage proposal? The ring, referred to as the 'Tell me Yes' ring, has been at the center of conjecture, with some interpreting its very existence as a sign of Dodi's intentions. However, the official Paget report, an inquiry into the couple's tragic end, concluded that there was no solid evidence that Diana had any intention of accepting a proposal from Dodi, let alone planning a marriage.Journalistic voices of the time, such as Richard Kay of the Daily Mail, initially believed that marriage could have been on the horizon for Diana and Dodi, a sentiment echoed by some close to the princess who claimed she was happier than ever. Yet, this same journalist later recanted his view, adding to the complex web of narratives that neither confirm nor deny the possibility of marriage. Diana's own words, shared with Kay in a call mere hours before her death, spoke of a return to her children and not of wedding plans.Moreover, the late princess's relationship with Hasnat Khan, which ended just before her untimely death, complicates the story further. Khan, believed by some to be Diana's 'true love', was the person she turned to after her holiday aboard Mohamed al-Fayed's yacht. This relationship's end and the timing of her newfound companionship with Dodi suggest a rebound rather than a headlong rush into matrimony.Mohamed al-Fayed, bereft and seeking answers, built a shrine to the couple at Harrods and asserted that the ring was an engagement ring chosen together—a claim that both intrigued and divided the public. He spoke of a conspiracy and went as far as to say that the establishment, and perhaps even the royal family, had a motive to prevent such a marriage. Yet, the inquest into Diana's death did not substantiate any such claims, leaving Mohamed al-Fayed's assertions as part of the enduring mystery surrounding the couple's relationship.In the aftermath of the tragedy, the public yearned for a fairy tale ending to the People's Princess's story—a hope for happiness after a life dogged by public scrutiny and personal pain. The notion that she might have been on the cusp of a new beginning with Dodi is a compelling one. Still, it remains an idea rooted more in the realm of wishful thinking than in the hard ground of evidence.Perhaps what remains most telling is the public's need to seek a narrative, a conclusive chapter to a story that ended far too soon. The truth about whether Diana and Dodi intended to marry is a secret that, much like the elusive princess herself, has slipped away into the annals of history, leaving behind a legacy of love, loss, and endless speculation.