Thousands of Olympic fans have been paying tribute to Princess Diana at the spot where she died in a road crash in Paris 27 years ago this month.
The games draw sports fans from around the world to the French capital and many have also taken the opportunity to remember the late Princess.
France’s Flame of Liberty has become an unofficial memorial to Diana, as it stands above the tunnel where she died on 31 August 1997.
Olympic fans made a detour from the sports stadiums to visit the monument on the Pont de l’Alma, which is just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, where beach volleyball is played.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris 27 years ago. Olympic fans have been paying their respects at the scene of the accident
From left to right, Luca Antoniutti, Arya Kahramaner, Marcela Antoniutti, Carla de Castro Ferreira and Luiz Antoniutti at the Princess Diana Memorial
A woman poses next to the Flame of Liberty, which has become the unofficial memorial to Diana.
Olympic fan leaves tribute to late princess who died tragically nearly three decades ago
The Flame of Liberty on the Pont de l’Alma in Paris is situated above the tunnel where Diana died on 31 August 1997.
Some bowed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer in memory of Diana, who died along with her partner Dodi Fayed and Mercedes-Benz driver Henri Paul when the vehicle crashed inside the tunnel.
Among those who remembered Diana was Brazilian Luiz Antoniutti, who, along with his wife, daughter and son, visited the monument and said a brief prayer for her.
Her son Luca, 26, who was with his girlfriend, said: ‘If I have a daughter, I’ll call her Diana.
“I know all about the name Diana in Roman mythology and the strength of that figure. But Princess Diana was one of the strongest Dianas the world has ever had.”
Luca, an architect from near Sao Paulo, added: ‘Diana died maybe a year before I was born, but I know she was a good person. She was incredibly strong and inspired many young people like me and we talk a lot about her.
Her father said: ‘Diana was a sweet girl who cared about others, especially children. She had a beautiful heart.
Some bowed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer in memory of Diana, who died along with her partner Dodi Fayed and Mercedes-Benz driver Henri Paul.
Kathy Rapley, 43, and her wife Neysha, 33, travelled to Paris from Aberdeen for the Olympics and made a detour to remember Diana at the place where she died.
‘In Brazil we don’t have a monarchy, but many millions of people in my country loved Diana. We saw how she treated everyone as equals and we respected her a lot for that.
‘I brought my family and my son’s girlfriend to Paris for the Olympics to watch tennis, football and athletics, but we couldn’t leave France without paying respect to Diana’s memory.’
Emma Stones, 40, from Leeds, visited the memorial with her husband Lee and said paying her respects was a priority.
“I suppose this place where our princess died is not only historic, like the terrible attack on the Twin Towers in New York, but also a place to remember the incredible woman we lost so tragically. However, I am saddened that this memorial does not mention her.”
Lee added: ‘Emma and I came here for the Olympics, but seeing this memorial and remembering Diana was always on our list.
‘I can still remember the day Diana died and with great sadness.
‘Emma’s mother Christine was a huge fan of Diana and used to buy the magazines when she was on the cover. They studied every detail and loved her so much.
“She was a great inspiration and a strong woman despite everything she went through.”
Kathy Rapley, 43, and her wife Neysha, 33, travelled to Paris from Aberdeen for the Olympics and made a detour to remember Diana at the place where she died.
Kathy, a 43-year-old teacher, said: ‘Diana was a wonderful humanitarian and spoke out for people from all kinds of different backgrounds.
‘She would treat CEOs of large corporations and homeless people on the streets the same way, with her kind nature.’
The Flame of Liberty was given by the United States to France eight years before Diana’s death in gratitude for French expertise in restoring the Statue of Liberty in New York.
A woman takes a selfie next to the Flame of Liberty. Although it is not officially designated as a memorial to Diana, its proximity to the scene of the tragedy has made it a natural place for mourners to pay their respects.
Augustus Dhana, 63, a doctor from Accra, Ghana, said: ‘This is my first visit to Paris and I came for the Olympics but I couldn’t leave after the Olympics without paying my respects to this beautiful woman, Princess Diana.
‘My family and I were always fascinated by him, especially by the way he loved everyone equally. He did a great deal of work in Africa with humanitarian causes.
“I will always regret that we missed so many moments of her life. She would have been very influential in demanding more medical aid, education and clean water for the poorest.
“I have my seven-year-old daughter with me and we were here for about 30 minutes and I told her all about Diana and now when she goes back to school in Accra she will tell all her friends too. We must not forget Diana.”
Although not officially designated as a memorial to Diana, its proximity to the site of the tragedy has made it a natural home for mourners to pay their respects.
The Flame of Liberty was given by the United States to France eight years before Diana’s death in gratitude for French expertise in restoring the Statue of Liberty in New York.
