Princess Diana’s Last Hours — Haunting Final Images

Princess Diana died just as she found true happiness with Dodi Al Fayed, as he prepared his marriage proposal on the last night of her life! The inside story follows — with TLC airing "Princess Diana: Tragedy or Treason" — a 3-hour telecast exploring Diana's life, legacy and the conspiracy theories surrounding her death — on Monday, July 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

The world mourned the sudden death of Princess Diana without knowing that the divorced ex-royal had accepted Dodi Al Fayed's marriage proposal right before the horrific car accident that claimed their lives on August 31, 1997. The National ENQUIRER unearthed the couple's bombshell secret — as they planned a Christmas wedding that was never meant to be.

On that fateful August day, the lovebirds had arrived in Paris at 5:30 pm on Dodi's father Mohamed Al Fayed's private jet, after cruising the Mediterranean aboard the father's luxury yacht. In a tragic twist, Di had originally intended to fly back to Britain immediately after the idyllic week of sailing with Dodi.

Hassan Yasin, a relative of the reformed playboy, confirmed Dodi had still made big plans in Paris: "Dodi told me the night he died that he was going to marry Diana!" Dodi was even caught on video that evening at the French jeweller Repossi buying an engagement ring for Diana — with staff debunking rumors that he'd bought the ring for another woman.

Diana, meanwhile, was confident Dodi was going to propose that night — and told a friend how she was looking forward to beginning a totally new life. Diana put in a call from the Ritz Hotel to the London home of Richard Kay, a journalist who'd been her confidant throughout the most troubled times of her life.

Diana (seen here getting in the car after her final dinner) told Kay she planned to "radically change" her life by completing her public charity work by November. The reporter revealed: "She would then, she said, be able to live as she'd always wanted to live: Not as an 'icon' — how she hated to be called one — but as a private person."

Dodi had also told his close friend Michael Cole that he'd "never have another girlfriend," while an eyewitness to the proposal at the L'Espadon restaurant revealed: "Diana was so much in love, and so full of joy!" He had proposed shortly after 11 p.m. as the couple enjoyed what became their last meal.

Their meal included scrambled eggs with wild mushroom and asparagus, along with white summer truffles and Scottish salmon. Dodi enjoyed a $425 bottle of Taitinger champagne, while Diana drank mineral water. "It was a very tender scene," said the eyewitness. "Dodi held Diane's hand and looked into her eyes as he spoke softly to her."

"Dodi said, 'I want to be with you all the time. I want you to be my wife,'" reported the insider. "Tears welled in her eyes for a moment. Then she mouthed the words 'yes..yes,' and bent her head to kiss his wrist. When they finally left the restaurant. they were holding hands and looked like they were walking on air.

"As she said goodbye," the source continued, "Princess Diana turned to a member of the hotel staff and told him, 'Thank you for a wonderful night' Then she glanced at Dodi and added softly, 'I'll never forget it. This was such a beautiful night because of you.'"

  Tragically, added the insider: "Those were her last words before getting in the car." Learn more of Princess Diana's final secrets in the TLC special "Princess Diana: Tragedy or Treason" — premiering Monday, July 31 at 8 p.m. ET.