There’s
a distinct sense of ‘what more can we say?’ to Tuesday’s newspaper coverage here in
Britain as the Diana and Dodi inquest verdict dominates some, but not all, of the
front pages.
The Daily Telegraph goes big on the story, incorporating a central image of a
smiling Diana alongside photographs of her sons speaking at the 10th
anniversary memorial service for the princess at Guards Chapel in London last August 31st.
The headline incorporates the sentiments of the Prince and Princess of Wales’
sons: ‘Let it be the end, say Princes: William and Harry hope unlawful killing
verdict will bring to a close speculation over their mother’s death’.
Interestingly, the paper quotes an unnamed figure close to the princes who says
they are "optimistic" that this will conclude the decade-long speculation about
the cause of the crash which killed Diana, Dodi and their driver, Henri Paul.
A source tells the paper: "They just want it to end after all this time".
It’s likely that news editors in the establishment still affectionately known
as Fleet Street – despite the newspapers having long ago vacated the area which
once shook as the presses rolled – were almost tearing their hair out by the
early evening.
Despite the inquest having returned a verdict at 4.25pm, it wasn’t until
shortly after 9pm that Clarence House finally released William and Harry’s
personal statement.
