On 31 August 1997, Princess Diana tragically died at 36 after the car driven by her intoxicated chauffeur crashed into the Pont de l’Alma tunnel while trying to outrun paparazzi.
Just ten days earlier, she had confided in a close friend, sharing a heartbreaking confession about her greatest worry involving her sons, Princes William and Harry — a moment that revealed one of her deepest regrets.
A Final Holiday With a Trusted Friend
That confidant was Rosa Monckton, who had traveled with Diana to Greece in the summer of 1997. The two enjoyed what seemed like a carefree holiday, unaware that it would be the last time they spent together.
Shortly before Diana left for Paris with her then-rumored partner Dodi Fayed — the trip that would be her last — she brought up one of the most controversial moments of her life: her 1995 Panorama interview.
Diana’s Panorama Interview: A Worldwide Shock
In the explosive BBC interview, Diana spoke openly about her deteriorating marriage to Prince Charles, discussed extramarital affairs on both sides, and revealed her struggles with bulimia and postnatal depression.
Perhaps most troubling for the monarchy, however, were her comments questioning Charles’ suitability to be king.
The interview reached more than 200 million viewers around the world and sent global shockwaves.
But according to Monckton, Diana later realized the unintended consequences it had on those she loved most.
Her Deepest Regret: The Impact on William and Harry
At the time of the interview, William was 15 and Harry just 12, living in London while their mother’s words were broadcast worldwide.
Monckton told PEOPLE about their quiet conversation on the beach: “She told me she regretted doing it because of the harm she thought it had done to her boys.”
Years later, the truth behind the interview would come to light — and with it, even deeper sadness.
Manipulation Behind the Scenes
Investigations revealed that journalist Martin Bashir had used forged documents and deception to secure Diana’s participation.
The BBC later admitted to covering up his misconduct.
A 2021 inquiry led by Lord Dyson concluded that Bashir manipulated Diana by claiming the interview was her only way to tell her side, even falsely suggesting that Prince Charles was plotting to have her killed.
Reflecting on this, Monckton said: “She was frail and that made her susceptible to Bashir.”
She added that Diana carried the burden alone: “He’d told her she couldn’t talk about it. She cut people out because of that.”
William and Harry Speak Out
Prince William, now 43, has publicly condemned Bashir’s actions, saying they fueled Diana’s “fear, paranoia and isolation.”
“She was failed not just by a rogue reporter but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions,” he said.
“These failings — not only let my mother down and my family down; they let the public down too.”
Prince Harry expressed similar grief in 2021, telling journalists: “Our mother lost her life because of this.”
