Example of a Persuasive Speech – Princess Diana

Diana – Cover up or Accident?

This is an example of a persuasive speech.

There are many conspiracy theories surrounding the demise of Princess Diana.

I would firstly like to say that these are not my opinions but facts and quotations that I have found in books or on the Internet.

Since the Princess’ death in 1997, there was immediate pressure from the public towards the Royal family, and towards MI6.

The first conspiracy theory is that it was faked. The story goes that fed up with the constant intrusion into her private life by the media, Diana, aided by the resources of lover Dodi, staged a spectacular ‘death’, in a hope that she could retreat to a life of privacy. A plan that went horribly wrong, leading to a fatal accident.

But would this idea be possible?

My view: No. Diana was famous all over the world. In this day and age it would not have been possible to avoid the press – Diana and Dodi would have known this all too well. Also, she loved her sons. In this plan she would have had to leave them. To me this theory is not what happened

The second conspiracy theory is that of the evidence – one that stands out in particular for me.

A) Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones still lives, but testimony from Mercedes auto experts says that it would have been almost impossible for anyone to have survived a crash in the tunnel in a car going at 121 mph. Maybe, as driver Henri Paul’s lawyers claim, the car was not going that fast. Maybe the crash was faked by the army-trained Rees-Jones who had previously deposited Diana and Dodi elsewhere.

My view: Highly unlikely. If the bodyguard was to set up the accident, why be in the car at all? If he had set up the accident I am sure he would have set up an excuse/alibi to not be in the vehicle. And as is commonly known now, he was the only one wearing a seatbelt – the fact that this saved his life seems most likely to me.

B) Dodi’s usual driver was not used. Mystery still surrounds Henri Paul, the security officer, who stepped in at the last minute to drive the Mercedes S-280. It took a full two days for his name to be revealed, for instance. Co-workers at the Ritz Hotel say he kept himself to himself and never socialised with them. One version of this conspiracy has it that Paul simply did not exist, another that he was quickly whisked away from the hospital after being declared dead by doctors in cahoots with the Al Fayed family.

My view: We know for a fact that the drivers were changed, but there is no solid evidence to say why. Also, surely the Al Fayed family had more than one driver. If I was them I would want to know the person driving me in my car. Wouldn’t you?

Now finally from the evidence:

C) Just six hours before she died, Diana let slip to Daily Mail reporter Richard Kray that she was about to withdraw completely from public life.

My view: A funny one – but is the reporter just looking for a cheap story or has he got the proof? The truth is still unknown.

The final conspiracy is the most popularly believed. That the British MI6 killed her. Some say that she was the target; some say that it was Dodi. Here’s the evidence:

Rogue elements in the British Secret Service decide that Diana is a threat to the throne, and therefore the stability of the state. They take her out. As for Dodi, business enemies of Dodi and his father Mohammed Al Fayed assassinate Dodi, with the death of Diana; a magnificent cover for their operation.

My views are exactly that, and you should make up your own minds. But there is a mountain of evidence to say that The Lady Diana’s death was no accident. Either way, the people of Britain have demanded answers for ten years now – after coming close, then having all the evidence stolen!

Will we ever find out?

My final view on this is, that as long as the people responsible don’t want us to, then no, we will never find out the truth.