Watch: Princess Diana's Brother Charles Spencer Pays Tribute 28 Years After Her DeathEarl Charles Spencer isn't mincing his words. Four years after an internal investigation found journalist Martin Bashir used deceitful tactics to secure his 1995 infamous sit-down with Princess Diana, her younger brother is connecting the interview and her tragic death. "There are high-ranking people in the BBC who participated in securing this interview, through appalling deception," Spencer told People in an interview published Nov. 24. "I am sure that this led directly to Diana being left vulnerable in Paris on the night she died." Before that 1997 fatal car crash, Bashir had shown Spencer forged bank statements, suggesting Diana's inner circle-including her private secretary Patrick Jephson-were being paid to spy on her. "She was in a state of justified anxiety," Jephson recalled to People. "It is not paranoia if you have reasonable grounds to believe that they are out to get you." Plus, as Bashir claimed, Diana's husband King Charles III was having an affair with Prince William and Prince Harry's nanny. He even provided forged documents that the caretaker had an abortion. All of which led to him convincing Diana to sit down for an interview.readPrincess Diana's Brother Charles Spencer Pays Tribute 28 Years After Her DeathHis deceit had a devastating impact, Jephson shared. "It is chilling to rerun those events and feel that Diana was seeing me as the enemy within," he explained. "Because Diana had been tricked into distrusting every kind of official protection, she put herself in a position where she had to accept the protection of people who were not competent." And the network acknowledges its fault, sharing in a Nov. 25 statement to E! News, "The BBC accepted its findings in full and publicly apologised for its part in the report's conclusions."David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Charles Sabine/Anwar Hussein/Getty Images/Bashir, too, has apologized. "This is the second time that I have willingly fully co-operated with an investigation into events more than 25 years ago," Bashir said in a statement to the U.K. press in 2021. "I apologized then, and I do so again now, over the fact that I asked for bank statements to be mocked up. It was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret." For a look back at Princess Diana over the years, keep reading.
Tim Graham/Getty ImagesOff-the-ShoulderPrincess Diana wore a range of styles during her lifetime. And when it came to gowns specifically, she played with different necklines and cuts, including off-the-shoulder.
Consider the chiffon David Sassoon gown she picked for a trip to London's Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981, which featured a pink and blue pattern, sparkly embellishments and ribbon detailing. To complete her look, she accessorized with a pearl choker, matching bracelet, diamond drop earrings and a clutch purse.
Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesThe princess also wore a lavender off-the-shoulder gown with bow detailing by Donald Campbell while attending the ballet in Auckland, New Zealand, with her then-husband King Charles (formerly Prince Charles) in 1983. For her jewelry, she opted for the Prince of Wales Feathers necklace and pearl drop earrings.
Anwar Hussein/WireImageAnd of course, fans can't forget about her famous "revenge dress," which was designed by Christina Stambolian and Diana wore to a Vanity Fair party at London's Serpentine Gallery in 1994. She donned the dress on the same night ITN's interview with her estranged husband Charles aired and he admitted he was faithful to Diana in their marriage "until it became irretrievably broken down."Pete Souza/The White House via Getty ImagesAnother famous example? The midnight blue velvet Victor Edelstein gown Diana wore to the White House nearly a decade before in 1985, where she shared a dance with John Travolta (leading to the dress being dubbed the "Travolta dress").
Tim Graham/Getty ImagesPop of PinkWhen it came to her wardrobe, Diana also sported a rainbow of colors. Among her often-wore hues? Pink. During a 1985 visit to Sicily, for instance, Diana wore a pink Catherine Walker dress featuring voluminous sleeves and a pleated skirt. To finish the ensemble, she added a matching hat by milliner John Boyd, a white clutch and pearls. Tim Graham/Getty ImagesDiana suited up in a similar hue, this time a Versace number, during a 1995 trip to Argentina-adding gold knot earrings, a black bag and matching heels.
Tim Graham/Getty ImagesChokersDiana also rocked bold accessories, including choker necklaces. Like this sparkly one she wore to complement her purple Versace dress for a gala dinner at Chicago's Field Museum in 1996.
David Levenson/Getty ImagesSimilarly, Diana wore a pearl choker necklace while visiting a Commonwealth War Graves ceremony in Anzio on her 1985 Royal Tour of Italy with Charles. The statement piece matched her pearl earrings. However, these weren't her only accessories. Diana also donned a r