What happened to Princess Diana's bodyguard?

Princess Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, survived the fatal 1997 car crash, suffering severe facial and internal injuries that required extensive reconstruction, and later wrote a book, while another bodyguard, Lee Sansum, who worked with Diana, recently passed away unexpectedly in May 2025, and Barry Mannakee, another former bodyguard, died in a 1987 motorcycle accident. Rees-Jones rebuilt his life in Shropshire, working in security, while Sansum was remembered for his loyalty and work with Diana and her sons.

Where is Princess Diana's bodyguard now?

He reportedly went on to work as security director for the oil company Halliburton and at pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca. In 2003, he married teacher Ann Scott, with whom he shares two children. As of 2022, he was apparently living in Oswestry, where he grew up, and has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

What happened to the bodyguard that was in the car with Princess Diana when she died?

On 31 August 1997, Rees-Jones was seriously injured in the crash that resulted in the death of Princess Diana. The princess's companion, Dodi Fayed, and their chauffeur, Henri Paul, were found dead inside the car; Rees-Jones was the sole survivor of the crash.

What did Martin Bashir do to Diana?

Martin Bashir used deceitful tactics, including forging bank statements, to gain Princess Diana's trust and secure her famous 1995 Panorama interview, falsely suggesting she was being spied on and leading her to believe she was in danger from the palace, which significantly increased her paranoia before the interview. An independent inquiry found Bashir's actions were "reprehensible," leading the BBC to apologize and refuse to re-broadcast the interview. 

What injuries did Diana's bodyguard have?

Mr Ress-Jones suffered multiple wounds in the accident, including severe facial injuries. The ten hour operation, at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital where Princess Diana died, reconstructed Mr Rees-Jones's face.

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Did Trevor Rees-Jones wear a seatbelt?

No, Trevor Rees-Jones was not wearing a seatbelt when he was seriously injured in the 1997 Paris car crash that killed Princess Diana; early conflicting reports suggested he was, but official investigations confirmed none of the occupants were belted, though he was the sole survivor due to other factors and his severe head injury prevented him from remembering the incident.
 

Why did Diana not have an open casket?

Princess Diana's casket was closed primarily due to the traumatic nature of her death in a car crash, the British royal tradition of closed coffins, and the family's desire to shield her young sons, William and Harry, from the distressing sight of her injuries, focusing instead on her legacy, say snippets from Tankers International. While some traditions allow private viewings, the public funeral featured a closed casket, consistent with royal practice for figures like the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II, notes Wikipedia and Quora users.
 

Why did Margaret not bow to Diana?

Margaret was a big support to Diana in the beginning, but after the Panorama interview she withdrew her support. She felt that Diana showed lack of respect for the Royal institution and for her sister the Queen. Also the reason she didn't bow her head as Diana's coffin went by during the funeral procession.

What were the last four words Princess Diana said before she died?

“My God, what's happened?” Those were reportedly the last fours words Princess Diana ever said. This is according to firefighter Xavier Gourmelon, who gave the princess CPR, thinking at the time that he'd saved her life. “I massaged her heart, and a few seconds later, she started breathing again.

Who was Princess Diana's true love?

Princess Diana's true love, according to many close to her, was British-Pakistani heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan, whom she met in 1995 and considered her soulmate for their deep, private connection, contrasting sharply with her public life and marriage to Prince Charles; she reportedly even contemplated moving abroad with Khan, though their relationship ended before her death, leading to her brief romance with Dodi Fayed.
 

Was Diana wearing her engagement ring when she died?

Diana was wearing a ring given to her by Dodi Fayed when she died. It was a £3,000 Bulgari yellow gold band with diamonds. The diamond band set in yellow gold was not an engagement ring and was worn on the fourth finger of her right hand, where her butler Paul Burrell advised her to wear it.

Would Diana have survived if she was wearing a seatbelt?

Yes, experts widely believe Princess Diana would likely have survived the 1997 crash if she had worn a seatbelt, with estimates suggesting an 80% chance of survival, as the belt would have prevented the fatal pulmonary vein tear by restraining her body during the impact. While other factors like the drunk driver and speed played roles, the seatbelt was the critical missing element, as her bodyguard, who was buckled in, survived with injuries.
 

Did anyone survive Diana's car accident?

Dodi Fayed, Diana's partner, and the driver, Mercedes-Benz chauffeur Henri Paul, were both found dead inside the car. Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was the only survivor of the crash, albeit seriously injured.

Who inherited Diana's fortune?

Who inherited Princess Diana's fortune? Diana left behind many possessions when she died in a Paris car crash in 1997 at age 36. According to news.com.au, the late royal's will instructed that the majority of her £21 million ($A40 million) estate go to William and Harry.

What were Princess Diana's actual injuries?

Princess Diana's fatal injuries from the 1997 Paris car crash were extensive internal chest trauma, primarily a ruptured pulmonary vein and massive internal bleeding (hemorrhage), leading to cardiac arrest, despite initial lack of severe external wounds. Doctors discovered a tear in her pulmonary vein, a rare injury, which caused significant blood loss and ultimately her death hours after the crash, despite resuscitation efforts. She also sustained a concussion and a broken arm, and likely could have survived if she had been wearing a seatbelt. 

How long did Ken Wharfe work for Diana?

He was bodyguard to Princes William and Harry from 1986 and became Princess Diana's personal protection officer in 1988. He stopped working for Princes Diana in 1993 but continued with the Royal Protection Squad until his retirement in 2002.

Why did Princess Diana always hold her head down?

In these moments, Diana would often keep her chin tucked and her head slightly down, making it harder for the photographers to get a clear shot. This subtle act helped her regain some control over her public image and shielded her from the overwhelming exposure that came with being part of the royal family.

How long was Princess Diana alive after the accident?

Princess Diana lived for a few hours after the car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, dying at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital around 4 a.m., after sustaining severe internal injuries, primarily a tear in her pulmonary vein, which caused her heart to stop despite emergency efforts to save her. She was unconscious and struggling to breathe at the scene but was resuscitated by paramedics before being transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
 

What did Queen say when Diana died?

Queen Elizabeth II, who was criticized for not immediately responding publicly to Diana's death, made a televised address from Buckingham Palace on September 5, in which she said: “No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.

Why was Lady Diana's coffin lined with lead?

Princess Diana's coffin was lead-lined because it's a British royal tradition for preserving the body, especially for above-ground interments like crypts, as the airtight seal slows decomposition, prevents odors, and keeps out moisture, a necessity for her state funeral and eventual burial in a vault at Althorp.
 

Why did Diana push her stepmother?

"I pushed her down the stairs, which gave me enormous satisfaction," Diana told her vocal coach in a recorded conversation in 1992. "I wanted to throttle that stepmother of mine. She brought me such grief."

Has Queen Elizabeth ever bowed to anyone?

Yes, Queen Elizabeth II famously bowed her head once in public to show respect for Princess Diana as her coffin passed Buckingham Palace during the 1997 funeral procession, a significant breach of strict monarchical protocol that symbolized acknowledging the "People's Princess" and the nation's grief. While monarchs traditionally don't bow to anyone, this rare, symbolic gesture prioritized human emotion and public connection over rigid rules.
 

Why did Princess Diana refuse to wear Chanel?

She loved wearing brands, which included Chanel. However, the then Princess of Wales stopped wearing Chanel following her divorce. Apparently, the label's logo, the double interlocking C's, reminded her of the betrayal she had by Prince Charles because of his then-affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Who refused to go to Diana's funeral?

However, one member of the Royal Family decided to skip Diana's funeral, fearing their attendance would upset too many people. According to the Daily Mail, biographer Sean Smith discussed Duchess Sophie's decision to not attend Princess Diana's funeral in a forthcoming book.