18/10/2007

Was Diana Ready To Wed?

The jury in the Princess Diana inquest have seen new CCTV footage of Dodi Al Fayed picking out what his family say was an engagement ring.

Just hours before the crash in which the couple were killed, Mr Al Fayed paid a visit to the Paris branch of the famous jeweller Alberto Repossi.

The couple were killed that night after their Mercedes crashed in a tunnel in 1997.

The jury watched Mr Al Fayed being taken to a cabinet by Mr Repossi before a selection of pieces were laid out on tables for him to inspect.

Mr Al Fayed's father, Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, says the couple met Mr Repossi earlier that summer to chose a ring which was then sent to be sized in Italy.

Dodi Al Fayed was then to collect it that day and present it to the princess as an engagement ring, the jury heard.

Following his visit to the exclusive shop, Mr Al Fayed returned to the Imperial Suite at the Ritz Hotel, where the couple were staying.

Later that day, the Mercedes carrying the princess and Mr Al Fayed crashed in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel while being followed by paparazzi.

(BMcC)

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