So, Diana took her friend, Egyptian business magnate and Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, up on his longstanding invitation to host her, along with William and Harry, at his vacation home in Saint-Tropez.
Dodi Fayed, Mohamed’s eldest son, showed up on July 14, a few days into the princess’ stay, docking his boat near his father’s yacht, the Jonikal. The 42-year-old movie producer was accompanied by his model fiancée Kelly Fisher, though Dodi would later deny that they were engaged.
Mohamed, who used to arrange private shopping excursions for the princess at his famed London department store after it had closed for the evening, was excited by the prospect of a love connection between Diana and his son.
Kelly left for work on July 18 and Dodi started spending more time with Diana and her sons, renting out a nightclub so they could dance in peace and taking the trio to an amusement park.
Diana called it the “best holiday of my life,” per Morton.
But in light of the tragic news, after dropping the boys back home in the U.K. she flew to Milan to attend the July 22 funeral for Versace.