King Charles's 'brave' request after 'falling apart' at Princess Diana's death

Today marks 28 years since Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, a day many will sadly remember. While Diana had divorced King Charles - who was the Prince of Wales at the time - not long before her death, it is believed the pair remained civil to one another, especially as they worked hard to co-parent Prince William and Prince Harry.

As the father of her sons, it is perhaps this reason why Charles made a "brave" request after flying to Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital in Paris, where the late princess died from her injuries. The King, who was a prince at the time, flew to Paris with Diana's sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes to bring Diana's body home.

It is believed that Charles asked the late Queen Elizabeth to bring Diana home on a royal flight, with the late Queen reportedly believing this to be an inappropriate gesture.

However, Charles reportedly ignored this and used the royal plane to bring Diana's body back to the UK.

As reported by The Mirror, journalist Richard Kay, who was friends with Diana, said on the documentary Diana: 7 Days That Shook the Windsors: "This was a surprising and brave move.

"He (Charles) was an ex-husband, he had no right to be there other than as the father of her sons.

"Charles wanted to take the royal flight to Paris but the Queen wouldn't allow it. Charles fought harder for Diana than he had ever fought for her in her lifetime."

Elsewhere in the documentary, Tina Brown - who was also friends with Diana - said "Charles "was absolutely distraught" when he found out Diana had died, and "fell apart".

He also had the difficult task of telling Prince William and Prince Harry, his young sons, who were enjoying the summer holidays at Balmoral at the time.

It is believed that Charles did all he could to support his sons, along with the rest of the Royal Family.