,

Reporting History: Announcing the Death of Princess Diana

Written by

Tim Smith

On 31 August 1997, the world awoke to the devastating news that Diana, Princess of Wales, had died following a car crash in Paris. For millions, the announcement came live on BBC World News from presenter Nik Gowing. Nearly three decades later, he reflects on that extraordinary night and the responsibility of being the broadcaster who told the world.

This interview is a rare insight into one of the most unforgettable moments in modern news history.

Back to blog

Latest Unthinkings

  • Inside New York Climate Week 2026

    Inside New York Climate Week 2026

    Nik Gowing asseses the impact on the ground at New York Climate Week 2026, sharing…

    Read more

  • Facing Unthinkables: the Urgent Need to Confront New Extremes – with David Shukman

    Facing Unthinkables: the Urgent Need to Confront New Extremes – with David Shukman

    Extremes are threatening to overwhelm us all. Here David Shukman brings together the scary evidence…

    Read more

  • A Tough Gig: But 100,000 Directors Won’t Back Down on Climate – with Julie Baddeley

    A Tough Gig: But 100,000 Directors Won’t Back Down on Climate – with Julie Baddeley

    Be encouraged by this. Julie Baddeley has spent years working to get climate and nature…

    Read more

  • Artificial Intelligence: The Vatican Positions Itself as a Leader

    Artificial Intelligence: The Vatican Positions Itself as a Leader

    The Vatican wants to engage on the impact and potential for AI.   This is driven right…

    Read more