It’s been 21 years since Princess Diana passed away following a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris and Australian paparazzo Darryn Lyons has now spoken out about the night the Princess of Wales died.
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential, the 53-year-old admitted he was always very careful about what he says about the royal’s death, but said he didn’t think the bottom of the true story will ever be revealed.
“I don’t even think her sons know,” he told the publication. “They would have been told the story but it isn’t necessarily the truth.”
Following an 18-month French judicial investigation, it was found that Diana’s death was caused because her chauffeur was speeding and was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Lyons himself had been forced to give evidence at the inquest, but her death has been the subject of conspiracy theories for more than two decades.
While Lyons said he had no proof that Diana had been murdered, he said he thought the conspiracy theory will be around forever and that it will grow. He also explained that “strange things happened that night” and that he was part of many of them – but did not elaborate on what they were.
On August 31, 1997, Lyons ran a photo agency in London and received images of the late Diana. He told the publication he would never sell them.
“I would never say that she was murdered,” he told the publication. “I would say I have many questions still unanswered and I think the world has many questions unanswered as to why a lot of things happened. It may not have even been murder. We still don’t really know.”
Last year marked 20 years since Diana’s death and her son’s Prince Harry and Prince William revealed their final gift for their beloved mother. The brothers commissioned Ian Rank-Broadley – the sculptor behind the effigy of Queen Elizabeth that has been used on all British coins since 1998 – to create a commemorative statue of their mother.
“We have been touched by the kind words and memories so many people have shared about our mother over these past few months,” Harry and William said in a statement at the time.
It is clear the significance of her work is still felt by many in the U.K. and across the world, even 20 years after her death.
“Ian is an extremely gifted sculptor and we know that he will create a fitting and lasting tribute to our mother. We look forward to unveiling the statue, which will allow all those who visit Kensington Palace to remember and celebrate her life and legacy.”