 The 208ft superyacht was the perfect setting for family time, with photos from the time showing the loving mum playing with her sons on the deck. The boat, which has now changed hands, has nine staterooms and can hold 18 people as well as a crew of 26. Dripping in luxury, it boasted a jacuzzi, office, formal dining room and a swim platform. And it was during this trip that Diana grew close to Al Fayed's oldest son, 42-year-old film producer Dodi. Pictures of the couple cuddling and kissing on the top deck went around the world, while Diana was photographed sunbathing, jumping into a speedboat and sitting on the stern in a contemplative mood. Photos of){kind=link}
Princess Diana was good friends with Mohamed Al Fayed and his family for about 10 years, striking up a romance with the billionaire’s oldest son Dodi, who died by her side in the devastating Paris car crash
After Princess Diana separated from King Charles in 1992, she began to form a new life for herself away from the royal family. She used her new-found freedom and the huge interest surrounding her as a platform for vital charity work, raising awareness of topics her in-laws shied away from.
And in doing this she met Mohamed Al Fayed, a hugely successful Egyptian businessman often named as one of the richest men in the world at the time. While it’s unknown where they first met, their circles would have crossed regularly as he sponsored many of the charities she was involved with.
Their unlikely friendship features heavily in season five of The Crown, showing Mr Al Fayed, played by Salim Daw, growing closer to the royals.
In the summer of 1997, the year after Charles and Diana were finally able to officially divorce following their five year separation, Mr Al Fayed invited Diana and her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to join his family on his yacht in the south of France.