00:00 In a gripping account shared on Hello, Esa Wright Royal podcast, Graham Lorry, former
00:06 pilot to King Charles, revealed the harrowing experience he faced on the day of Princess
00:10 Diana's tragic demise.
00:13 Originally scheduled to fly Prince William from Aberdeen to Lineham, Lorry's plans were
00:18 abruptly altered after news of Diana's accident reached him.
00:22 "I dashed downstairs and rang strike command," Lorry recounted.
00:27 "I was due to fly Prince William from Aberdeen back to Lineham because he was going back
00:33 to school a couple of days later.
00:35 I got up again at about six in the morning and found out that Princess Diana had died."
00:41 The unforeseen circumstances led to a somber journey.
00:45 Lorry, along with the royal household, faced the unprecedented task of bringing Diana's
00:51 body back from France.
00:53 With no operations order in place for Diana's death due to her young age, Lorry, the private
00:58 secretary and a policeman had to hastily organize the arrangements.
01:03 The pilot flew Prince Charles to France, but before he left London's airspace, air traffic
01:08 control contacted him, asking him when he was coming back.
01:12 He made a quick estimation that they would be back at 7pm.
01:17 Ten minutes later, they announced to the world's press that the aircraft would return at 7
01:22 in the evening.
01:24 Miraculously, the plane arrived almost precisely at the announced time, marking a day etched
01:29 in Lorry's memory.
01:30 [Music]
Comments