Princess Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed would not have survived fatal summer, says ex-private secretary

Late royal went on two holidays with wealthy playboy before tragic Paris car crash in August 1997 but romance would not have lasted, says Michael Gibbins

Diana, Princess of Wales, and Egyptian businessman Dodi Al Fayed cruise off the coast of Saint Tropez, southern France, on 22 August 1997 (Reuters)

Diana, Princess of Wales' romance with Dodi Fayed would not have lasted if they had not died in a car crash, her former private secretary has said.

Michael Gibbins, who worked for Diana for over a year, said he believed the relationship would not have continued beyond the summer.

Diana and Dodi spent two holidays together on board his family's yacht in the final month of their lives, before they were killed in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997.

Mr Gibbins told The Sun: “I think frankly she was just having a lovely summer at somebody else's expense to be perfectly honest. When the summer was over, everything would have disintegrated.”

He also dismissed claims that the pair had planned to marry.

Asked if Diana had mentioned a wedding to him, Mr Gibbins told the newspaper: “Absolutely not. Nor do I believe that for a second.

“Superficially she was happy. Deep down, more difficult to say.”

PA