Diana said relationship with Dodi was 'over,' friend tells inquest

The late Princess of Wales described her relationship with Dodi Fayed as "all over" two weeks before the couple died in a car crash in Paris, a friend told the inquest into her death.

Rodney Turner, a car dealer and friend of Diana's family, testified Monday that Diana told him the relationship was over during a conversation in mid-August 1997. He said he was surprised, but Diana told him, "Don't fuss, don't fuss. It's all over. I've had a wonderful time."

Turner supplied BMW cars for Diana's use starting in 1995. He said he had previously told Diana that he opposed her relationship with Fayed based on his opinion of the man's father, Harrods department store owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Two weeks after Diana said the relationship had ended, she joined Fayed on holiday in southern France. The couple died Aug. 31, 1997, when their car crashed into a concrete pillar in the Pont d'Alma tunnel in Paris.

Authorities say driver Henri Paul, who also died in the crash, is to blame because he was drunk and driving too fast.

Fayed's father argues the deaths were part of a monarchy-led conspiracy in opposition to what he claims was the couple's intent to marry. Fayed claims the two were about to become engaged.

The inquest, which started Oct. 2, has heard conflicting testimonies on the status of the relationship. Letters and some friends claim the pair were very close while others, such as Turner, suggest the relationship was near its end or not very serious.

Turner conceded under questioning that Diana may have told other friends something very different.

He also fielded questions about Diana's fears of a conspiracy plotting the princess's death.

A 2006 police report says that in October 1995, Diana told lawyer Lord Mishcon that unidentified "reliable sources" told her an attempt to kill or injure her would be made through a car accident, possibly through tampering with the brakes.

Turner said Diana had never expressed any fear to him that someone might tamper with her car, although others have reported such fears to the inquest.

Diana's chauffeur, Steven Davies, testified he could not recall ever being asked to check a car for signs of tampering.