The Diana Investigation: Is it really over?

Although this hasn't been posted on the official inquest site, it has been announced that Diana's death has been ruled an accident. Two days before this news I became inspired to write about all of the unanswered questions surrounding Diana's death. I can't really do that now can I? Couldn't everyone have waited until I could post a timely article? I guess I thought I had more time, you know how these things tend to drag out. Too bad, it was going to be a thought provoking yet satirical article if I'd gotten around to writing it.

Personally if the inquest is truly over, I'm glad. Not that I was paying much attention to begin with. I admit to being somewhat intrigued by the grisly details, and the possible pregnancy rumors, but the Prince Philip and Prince Charles conspiracy theories are ridiculous. Then: Prince Charles was way too busy wooing Camilla and making copies of his infamous Chinese diaries. Now: Married to Camilla, he's too busy trying to prevent their publication. Then: Prince Philip was too busy telling Charles off about something to worry about Diana and her lover. Now: he's too busy telling Prince Charles off about his diaries to care about the results.

So here's as far as I'd gotten with my draft, where I ask questions which are now quite redundant. Other than spending a lot of money and wringing every last drop out of Diana's memory, what did all of this really accomplish? Okay, maybe that's the only real thought provoking question I wanted to ask. But I did have other filler questions: Does this honor the memory of the victims? Will Mohammed Al Fayed take down his tacky statue of Dodi and the semi-clad Diana? Will someone please ask him to? Will people stop writing tell-all books, magazine articles, and making made-for-TV movies? The answer to most of these questions is No.

Despite the findings, I'm certain that people will continue to think that her death was more than an accident. After all, she was supposed to grow old gracefully and continue her charity work. Diana would have been proud at William's wedding and holding her first grandchild. She would have looked glamorous and regal at his Coronation. Later on, revered as unofficial Queen Mother, she would have died of extreme old age in luxurious surroundings. How could a drunk driver and not wearing a seat-belt kill her?

Like the Kennedy assassination, there will always be speculation; the Warren Commission findings did not end the questions. The Diana investigation will not end the questions either. Was Henri Paul drunk? Was he part of the French Secret Service? Were his blood samples switched? Was Diana murdered?.....

With misinformation and conflicting reports, we'll never know.

© Marilyn Braun 2006