A Business Trip Becomes Memorable

During the summer of 1997 I was in Paris on one of my usual trips to Europe. I recall that the streets were relatively empty since many French were on vacation as is customary during August. I was able to enjoy some sightseeing without undue crowds.

I was getting ready to wrap up my meetings in France and head to England for further business when news broke that Princess Diana had been killed in an automobile accident in a Parisian highway tunnel. The tragic news of her death filled the French television and radio stations, the newspapers, the personal conversations.

Two days later I arrived in London. No one was discussing anything but the death of Princess Di. All of London was preoccupied with public grieving, paying tribute to their royalty and preparing for an upcoming funeral.

I walked around the city, specifically near Kensington Palace which was Princess Diana’s residence. Thousands upon thousands of mourners were flocking to Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens to lay flowers and pay their respects to the Princess and her family. As you can tell from the following photographs, there were flowers everywhere. I was told that flowers were in short supply and the local florists had to import additional flowers from the Netherlands and other nearby countries.

Here are some of the photographs that I took during the days before her September 6th funeral.

 
Although this was such a tragic event, the worldwide response of the public, especially those who trekked to London was heartwarming.

For a very recent article about her death 25 year ago click here.

For those who may want more information about Princess Diana please click here.
 
Written by: Arnie Lee