Milanese Editor defends usage of Princess Diana’s last photos

By Stone Martindale Jul 14, 2006, 15:09 GMT

File picture dated November 1985 showing the late Diana, Princess of Wales dancing with Hollywood actor John Travolta during a White House party in 1985 hosted by then American President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy. EPA/COURTESY RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY

The Italians have done it again.  Except in this particular instance, celebrations are not resulting.

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, who died tragically in a car accident in Paris, is being exploited by an Italian magazine.  The magazine “Chi” and its editor defend the widely drummed decision to post the last photos taken of the beloved Princess as she lay dying.

The published photo shows Princess Diana being administered oxygen in the wreckage at the crash site in Paris, August 1997.

Editor Umberto Brindani said it was a "touching" and "tender” photo and not offensive.

The response in the United Kingdom, Australia and in America has been resoundingly negative with those who loved the Princess, and who have concern for her living children.  The responses have been flooding chat rooms, websites and editorial pages of the English speaking world’s papers, and the consensus is the Italian paper is “scum.”

Retail giant Harrods chairman Mohamed al Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the car crash in Paris, said he was "sad and angry" that the Milan-based magazine had printed the image.

He said: "This heartless pursuit of money brings shame on those responsible for producing such a vile publication.

"It makes me sad and angry that a magazine would reproduce an image of the Princess as she clung desperately to life.

"The editor and the author, who probably have families of their own, have no thought for the feelings of those who loved the Princess, first and foremost her sons, the Princes William and Harry."

Brindani shot back with this response about Diana’s boys: "On the contrary I think they are the two people above all who want to know the truth."

He added: "She is not dead in the picture but looks as if she is a sleeping Princess."

A spokesperson for the Diana Memorial Fund charity, which was set up in remembrance of the princess who died shortly after the image was taken stated: "It's in very poor taste."

The picture was taken from an upcoming book on Diana's death by French author Michel Caradec'h, and he is “shocked the image has been put into the public domain.” And that the photo should never have been published in a magazine.

Three photographers who took pictures of the dying princess were found guilty of breaching her privacy by a French court, and given a one euro fine.