Princess Diana News & Updates: Former Bodyguard Says Press Not at Fault in Royal's Death

With the upcoming death anniversary of one of the most famous people in the world, people are still interested in the details of how Diana, Princess of Wales, died. Diana's death in 1997 broke the heart of a nation and was mourned by the international community. Diana was known for her philanthropic presence and charity work.

In an interview with Yahoo on Yahoo U.K.'s “The Royal Box,” Princess Diana's former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, mentions that the paparazzi are not solely to blame for the eventual car crash that took the princess' life. Wharfe points out that it would be in the press' best interest to keep Diana and her company safe considering that the Princess of Wales was one of the main ways that their publications made sales.

While Wharfe shares his perspective on the culpability of the press in his interview, it is important to note that he was not present nor part of Diana's retinue on Aug. 31, 1997 – the date of the fateful crash. Wharfe also makes this statements in the face of Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, who ultimately blame the press for their mother's death.

While Wharfe's statements may minimize the culpability of the hounding press during the night of the accident, formal courts of judgment have come to a clearer understanding regarding the cause and blame for the Aug. 31 accident. A recent inquest into Diana's death that was held in October 2007 found the options for verdict regarding the cause of the accident to be Henri Paul's negligent driving caused by an intoxicated state, as well as the negligent driving of the following media vehicles.

The inquest eventually settled on the verdict that both Henri Paul and the drivers of the following media vehicles were guilty of the unlawful killing of Diana. While Henri Paul is to blame for the eventual accident, it does not absolve the press, who may have exacerbated the situation of Henri Paul's intoxicated state.