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Jury Sees Tape of Diana's Hotel Departure

Court observers interpret driver's signs as signals to paparazzi

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Oct 4, 2007 4:24 PM CDT

(Newser) – Princess Diana's driver might have tipped off paparazzi to her departure from a Paris hotel the night of her death, the Guardian reports after today's viewing of video at an inquest into the incident. Video shows Diana and companion Dodi Fayed preparing to evade photographers by leaving through a back door; another shot shows driver Henri Paul waving to paparazzi.

Until Paul—who was allegedly over the legal drinking limit when he died that night in 1997—spoke to paparazzi, they did not venture to the back of the hotel, the Guardian reports. The film also reveals that a "dummy run" was orchestrated before Diana's departure to try to dupe photographers. Fayed's father still maintains the couple was murdered by British authorities.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (2)]

This image made available Thursday Oct. 4, 2007, from evidence presented at the inquest into the death of Diana Princes of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed is made from CCTV footage showing Diana, Princess of... (Associated Press)

This image made available Thursday Oct. 4, 2007, from evidence presented at the inquest into the death of Diana Princes of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed is made from CCTV footage and shows Henri Paul, left,... (Associated Press)

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BrandNew CCTV Video Footage of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed (NewsLondon (YouTube))

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Jury Sees Tape of Diana's Hotel Departure