Diana told me that three tycoons had offered her holidays in the summer after her divorce. Unfortunately, the one she chose began a chain of events that might have caused her death, says Richard Kay

In the spring of 1997, Princess Diana, having recently divorced Prince Charles, had a busy schedule with various engagements and commitments filling her diary. Diana had a planned meeting with the newly appointed Prime Minister Tony Blair at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence. She was also preparing for an upcoming trip to Washington, where she intended to discuss her campaign against landmines at the White House with First Lady Hillary Clinton. One of the highlights of her year was a glamorous sale in New York, where 79 of her couture dresses were to be auctioned.

Amid her busy schedule, Diana looked forward to the school holidays. It was her first summer post-divorce, and she anticipated spending time with her sons, William and Harry, during the early weeks of their break. However, her divorce from Prince Charles had imposed strict rules regarding their sons. There were limitations on where Diana could take the boys abroad.

Strict security measures were in place to ensure the safety of William and Harry. Specific guidelines governed the type of airlines and vehicles they could use for travel. Crucially, Diana needed the Queen's permission if she intended to take the boys out of the country.

Despite these restrictions and the logistical challenges associated with traveling with her sons and their security team, Diana was determined to provide them with a special and memorable summer experience. She wanted to ensure that, even without her royal title, she maintained high standards and created cherished memories for William and Harry.

Princess Diana had a history of taking her sons, William and Harry, on extravagant vacations in previous years. These vacations included activities such as white-water rafting in America, visits to Disneyland, and beach holidays in France and Spain, where she spared no expense to provide them with memorable experiences.

The solution presented itself unexpectedly as she attended a gala performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall on June 3, where she was joined by Mohamed Al Fayed, the owner of Harrods, who sponsored the event. Over dinner at the Churchill Hotel in Mayfair, Al Fayed casually invited her to spend time with his family. His invitation was characterized by a friendly and informal tone. Fayed's death a week ago at 94 transported me back to that night when Diana, glittering in diamonds and pearls borrowed from Crown jewellers Garrard's, and wearing a knee-skimming sequinned Jacques Azagury dress, telephoned me excitedly to relay the news.

American billionaire Teddy Forstmann offered Diana a house in The Hamptons, an exclusive resort area on Long Island, New York, favored by affluent New Yorkers.

Asian electronics mogul Gulu Lalvani invited Diana to join his family at their holiday home in Thailand. Lalvani, who was 23 years older than Diana, had taken her dancing at Annabel's nightclub in Berkeley Square.

Interestingly, both Forstmann and Lalvani had interests in Diana that went beyond mere hospitality. Lalvani was interested in dating her, while Forstmann had ambitions of running for U.S. president and saw Diana as an ideal partner for that endeavor.

Despite these offers, Diana wasn't romantically interested in Lalvani or Forstmann. However, she did occasionally daydream about the possibility of transitioning from being the wife of the future King to becoming a president's consort.

For a brief period, Diana considered the idea of taking two separate holidays—one with Al Fayed and another with Lalvani. However, the passage suggests that her decision was influenced by a humorous fax that arrived at Kensington Palace, jokingly addressed to 'Princess Gulu'. This may have played a role in her final decision regarding her summer vacation destination.

Ultimately, Diana chose to spend her summer with Mohamed Al Fayed and his family at their compound near St. Tropez in the South of France, which included access to a luxurious yacht, the Jonikal, for their use during the vacation.

Romance: Diana on the Al Fayed yacht Jonikal off Portofino, Italy, in August 1997

The Castel de St Therese offered a luxurious and extravagant setting for Diana and her sons. It was a four-acre Fayed family compound with numerous amenities, including a helipad, garaging for 50 cars, swimming pools, tennis courts, jet skis, and even a private discotheque. This lavish environment would undoubtedly provide an extraordinary experience for Diana and her children.

Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed in Saint Tropez, France in August 1997

A key factor in her decision was the availability of the Jonikal yacht, a 937-ton yacht owned by Mohamed Al Fayed. Diana and her family could use this yacht for their summer activities, adding to the allure of the vacation.

Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed had a shared sense of being outsiders. Al Fayed, an Egyptian-born businessman, had been shunned by the British Establishment, which had denied him a British passport despite his long-term residency in the UK. Diana, on the other hand, felt rejected by the Royal Family, experiencing a sense of isolation and coldness from certain members of the monarchy.

As mentioned by a friend of Al Fayed, both Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed had experienced what they perceived as persecution by the Establishment. Diana had faced challenges and restrictions due to her status within the royal family, while Al Fayed had encountered resistance and suspicion in his business dealings and personal life.

Diana had received an invitation from Hong Kong-Chinese entrepreneur David Tang, an old friend. However, Diana's sense of humor failure in response to the invitation may have influenced her decision to opt for the Fayed offer. It's possible that her connection with Al Fayed and his family, along with the luxurious surroundings and amenities of the Castel de St Therese, made it a more attractive choice.

Most of Diana's friends were against her accepting Mohamed Al Fayed's hospitality. They were shocked that she would even consider a proposal from him, given his controversial involvement in the 1994 "cash for questions" scandal at Westminster, which led to allegations of bribery and had significant political consequences. This scandal had implications for several prominent politicians, including Neil Hamilton and Jonathan Aitken, and it had an impact on the Conservative government of John Major.

Mohamed Al Fayed had been under scrutiny for years regarding the source of his wealth, his business practices, and even his name. However, Diana defended her judgment and rejected the idea that she was making a mistake. She believed that she had the ability to spot charlatans who had surrounded her former husband, Prince Charles.

Mr Al-Fayed (right) with Prince Charles (with his back to camera) and Diana during a Harrods-sponsored polo match in 1987

Diana's perspective on Al Fayed was shaped by her personal interactions with him and his family. She saw him as a warm family man, and his four children with his second wife, Heini Wathen, were close in age to her own sons, William and Harry. Diana had visited the Fayed home in Surrey, where she had developed a liking for Heini. Their children, including Camilla Fayed, got along well with William and Harry and had even been on playdates at the palace.

One notable figure who did not caution Diana against accepting Al Fayed's offer was her former stepmother, Raine. Despite their previous estrangement, Diana had reconciled with Raine following the break-up of her marriage. Diana came to rely on Raine's wise counsel, and they frequently had lunch together. Raine's role as a director of Harrods International may have also influenced Diana's decision.

Mohamed Al Fayed had a connection to the late Lord Spencer, Diana's father, and was a frequent guest at events held in his store. Al Fayed had also been involved in the restoration of the Villa Windsor, the former home of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, which was renamed and lavishly restored. This connection likely played a role in Diana's relationship with Al Fayed and her decision to accept his hospitality.

Diana had developed a close friendship with both Mohamed Al Fayed and her former stepmother, Raine, despite initial estrangements. Raine had become a source of wise counsel for Diana, and Mohamed Al Fayed had shown a warm and supportive side that endeared him to her.

Some people speculated about Diana's motivations for cultivating these relationships. It was suggested that her reconnection with Raine may have been partly to annoy her own family, including her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, with whom she had a difficult relationship. Similarly, there was speculation that Diana may have pursued a friendship with Al Fayed to irritate the Royal Family.

Diana faced criticism for her choice to spend her vacation with Al Fayed. However, she was reportedly outraged by the negative reactions and defended her decision. She pointed out that Al Fayed's money had been accepted by the Royal Family for years, and she had sought the Queen's permission for her trip, which had been granted without objections.

Diana spent less than 48 hours in the South of France before her presence at Al Fayed's home became headline news. Photographs of her sunbathing next to Al Fayed, viewed by officials as unfit to hold a British passport, were widely published.

Diana was initially unaware of the romantic dynamics involving Dodi Al Fayed, Mohamed's son. Dodi had summoned Diana to join the family gathering and had also brought his girlfriend, Kelly Fisher, on another family yacht. Diana was enjoying the attention from Dodi and the Fayed family's warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Dodi Al Fayed's spurned girlfriend, former Calvin Klein underwear model Kelly Fisher

Diana's friendship with the Fayed family was described as complex. While she appeared to genuinely enjoy their company and the sense of family togetherness, there were speculations about her motives, including potentially becoming a "rich man's trophy."

Mr Al-Fayed with Princess Diana attending a charity dinner for the Harefield Heart Unit held at Harrods, London, in February 1996

The article also mentions the tragic deaths of Diana and Dodi in a high-speed crash in Paris, which marked a significant turning point. Mohamed Al Fayed shifted from being a grief-stricken father to making controversial accusations about Prince Philip's involvement in the accident.

The passage briefly mentions Mohamed Al Fayed's later actions, including inviting the author to join his team at the inquest into the accident. He made exaggerated claims and offered unusual gifts during their interactions.

The passage concludes with a description of a letter Mohamed Al Fayed sent to the author, expressing gratitude for his friendship with Diana and his son. The letter, written on Harrods notepaper, conveyed a sense of loss and reflection.