Flowers near a photograph of Diana on the gates of her former home in Kensington Palace in London. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press)
A long-awaited report on the 1997 death of Diana is out on Dec. 14, 2006. Here are key facts about the inquiry.
What is the inquiry about?
The inquiry is set to put to rest the speculation about the crash. Many have questioned whether it was actually an accident.
It's widely expected to conclude that Diana's death was an accident and that the chauffeur was drunk. However, in January 2006, Lord Stevens, the head of the inquiry, stoked rumours when he said the investigation was "far more complex than any of us thought."
What did the inquiry do?
The inquiry involved 15 police officers and is estimated to have cost several million dollars. Investigators used computer technology to reconstruct the crash scene while others examined the wrecked Mercedes in detail. Stevens looked through witness statements, travelled to the crash site, and interviewed Prince Charles.
What did past inquiries find?
A French judge ruled in 1999 that the crash was an accident.
A later investigation found that the chauffeur, Henri Paul, had been drinking and was speeding.
Why is the death of Diana so powerful almost 10 years after it happened?
Diana was a popular princess and very involved in charitable works, most notably calling for an international ban on landmines and her work with AIDS patients. Her publicized love story, wedding and divorce put her on the cover of fashion magazines and tabloids.
Since her death in 1997, Dodi al Fayed's father, Mohammed al Fayed, has said that Diana was pregnant with Dodi's child and was killed by British intelligence to prevent embarrassment to the Royal family. He refuses to accept that the deaths were an accident.
Other rumours include a supposed letter written by the princess alleging that her former husband wanted her killed, and that the chauffeur was a member of French intelligence services.
Who are the main players in the inquiry?
Sir John Stevens, the former head of London's Metropolitan Police, led the investigation into the deaths.
Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, a retired senior judge, oversaw the inquest.
Royal Coroner Michael Burgess was in charge of the inquest, but stepped down in July citing a heavy workload.
Princess Diana's last day: Aug. 30-31, 1997.
Saturday
1 p.m.: Diana and companion Dodi al Fayed board a private jet to go to Paris for one night.
3:20 p.m.: Dodi and Diana arrive in Paris to a swarm of paparazzi.
4:30 p.m.: They arrive at the Ritz hotel. They spend the evening trying to avoid the press.
Sunday
12:20 a.m.: The couple leaves the Ritz, pursued by photographers on motorbikes.
12:25 a.m. The car hits a pillar and smashes into the wall in the Place de l'Alma underpass in central Paris.
12:26 a.m.: A doctor driving by stops and calls for help. The princess and her bodyguard are cut from the wreckage and rushed to hospital. Surgeons work for two hours to try to save her life.
1:30 a.m.: Al Fayed is pronounced dead.
4 a.m.: Diana pronounced dead.
All times BST
What did the inquiry find?
Operation Paget concluded that Diana's death was a "tragic accident." The accident was the fault of the chauffeur, who was speeding and driving drunk. Investigators concluded that while the princess may have feared for her safety, there was no evidence of a conspiracy. As well, a conspiracy would have been difficult to carry out, because her plans changed so frequently. At the hospital, Diana received timely treatment and every effort was made to save her life. Interviewees told the inquiry that the princess had no intention of marrying Dodi. Scientific evidence has also confirmed that Diana was not pregnant when she died.
Diana's life
July 1, 1961: Lady Diana Frances Spencer is born in Norfolk.
1979: Diana works in London as a kindergarten teacher.
Feb. 24, 1981: Diana and Charles's engagement is announced.
July 29, 1981: Diana marries Charles at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
June 21, 1982: Prince William is born.
Sept. 15, 1984: Prince Harry is born.
April 1987: Diana opens the U.K.'s first specialist AIDS ward
December 1992: The prince and princess announce their separation.
December 1993: Diana announces her withdrawal from public life.
Aug. 28, 1996: Their divorce is finalized.
Jan. 15, 1997: Diana calls for an international ban on landmines.
Aug. 31, 1997: Diana and companion Dodi al Fayed die in a car accident.
Sept. 1, 1997: Initial investigation into the accident concludes the driver was drunk.
Sept. 4, 1997: The Royal family issues its statement after receiving criticism for appearing unemotional.
Sept. 6, 1997: Diana's funeral at Westminster Abbey. She is buried at Althorp.
Feb. 12, 1998: Al Fayed's father, Harrod's owner Mohammed al Fayed, announces that the crash that killed his son and Diana was no accident.
Nov. 28, 2003: French court finds the paparazzi not guilty of invading Diana's privacy on the night she died.
Jan. 6, 2004: British inquiry into the deaths begins, due to much speculation surrounding the deaths.
July 6, 2004: The Queen announces a memorial fountain in Hyde Park.
Feb. 3, 2006: After a retrial, the photographers are convicted of breaking privacy laws.
Dec. 14, 2006: The investigation into the deaths of Diana and al Fayed reports.
