The Day Diana Died | Preview (5)

A powerful 90-minute documentary charting the extraordinary 24 hours following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales: a moment that shocked the world and changed Britain forever.

Everyone remembers where they were when they first heard the news. It was the morning of Sunday 31st August 1997 when the tragic announcement of Diana’s death sent the nation and the world into a state of disbelief and collective mourning. In the hours that followed, decisions had to be made at speed, from royal protocol and government response to media coverage and public messaging. The country was grieving, confused, and watching closely.

This film explores the dramatic reaction of the British establishment. From the Royal Family’s initial response at Balmoral, to the intense pressure faced by broadcasters and politicians, to the emotional outpouring of millions of ordinary people across the UK and beyond.

Even the National Grid recorded an unprecedented surge as households switched on televisions to follow the unfolding story. Through detailed archival footage, real-time news coverage, and exclusive interviews with journalists, insiders, and commentators, this programme forensically reconstructs this defining moment in British history.

It reveals the behind-the-scenes decisions, protocol, and tensions that shaped public perception and ultimately forced a 180 degree change in the way Princess Diana was remembered. More than just a recounting of events, the film documents how all the organs of state made the right calls at the right time.

This documentary takes viewers right back to the raw emotion, confusion, and complexity of that day, offering new insight into why it remains etched in our collective memory. A single day that marked the end of one era and the beginning of another.

The Day Diana Died airs Saturday 30th August on 5.