Diana, Princess of Wales died in a vehicle accident in Paris on August 31st, 1997.
Diana , Princess of Wales ( Diana Frances ; née Spencer ; 1 July 1961 -- 31 August 1997 ) , was the first wife of Charles , Prince of Wales , who is the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II . Media attention and public mourning were extensive after her death in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997 and subsequent televised funeral .