How Will Prince William Remember Princess Diana’s Death Anniversary? He And Kate Middleton Won’t Visit Paris Site

This year will, no doubt, be one of reflection for the Duke of Cambridge because it marks the anniversary of the late Princess Diana’s death. Prince William’s mother, who died in a car accident on Aug. 31, 1997, in Paris, will be remembered throughout the year, and her sons will likely be planning a special event or remembrance.

That event won't, however, happen this month.

Though the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were scheduled to take a two-day trip to Paris this month to meet with the British Foreign Office, the royal couple’s trip will not include any visits to the site — or any sites — associated with Diana’s death, Popsugar reported Tuesday. Instead, the couple will spend their visit attending a formal dinner at the home of the British ambassador to France. They will also attend the Wales v France Six Nations rugby match, according to a statement from Kensington Palace.

The couple’s brief trip, beginning March 17, will largely consist of meetings with the British Foreign Office in order to strengthen ties between the U.K. and France. The trip will be the couple’s first journey to the French capital together and William’s first visit to the city since Diana’s death 20 years ago.

Diana, the Princess of Wales, and her companion, Dodi Al Fayed, died in a car crash trying to evade paparazzi about a year after her divorce from Prince Charles. They were being driven by Henri Paul, the assistant director of security at the Hôtel Ritz who was later found to have been drunk, according to People.

A year-long celebration recognizing Diana’s life kicked off at the beginning of 2017. An award, a new holiday and a series of events were set to be rolled out in honor of the life of one of the world’s most famous women. Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, was scheduled to take part in organizing the yearlong remembrance, according to E! Online.

How exactly William and Prince Harry will be contributing to the anniversary events has not yet been disclosed.