Unseen Footage Reveals Princess Diana’s Response to Controversial Dispute Months Before Death
ITV News has broadcast never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage of Princess Diana from a January 1997 visit to Angola. The trip supported a global campaign to ban landmines. The material shows Diana interacting with local people and journalists.
Footage from the minefield visit
The clip captures Diana walking through a field being cleared of mines. She wears a blastproof vest and mask for protection. She also meets children who had lost limbs to explosives.
Journalists surrounded her during the visit. ITV’s then Africa correspondent Steve Scott appears in the footage. His exchange with Diana is shown despite the press team’s reluctance to allow questions.
Her answer to political criticism
Unseen footage reveals Diana’s response to the political dispute over the trip months before her death. She rejected the idea she was acting as a political actor. Instead, she positioned herself as a humanitarian focused on the campaign.
Members of her team tried to steer reporters away from political questions. Diana nevertheless made clear she saw the controversy as a distraction from the humanitarian cause. She also spoke privately about her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, during the return flight.
Reactions and reflections
Steve Scott later discussed the trip on ITV’s Reporting History series with presenter Tom Bradby. He described long conversations with Diana about her children and her priorities. He reflected on the sadness of her death seven months later at age 36.
Scott said Diana’s dedication suggested she could have made a lasting difference on the landmine issue. He also noted how her sons, ages 14 and 12 at the time, lost her guidance after her passing.
Long-term impact
Since 1997, more than 100,000 landmines have reportedly been removed from Angola. The town of Huambo, where she walked, has been rebuilt and modernised. The clearance work continues through charities and local efforts.
Prince Harry visited the exact site in 2019. He returned last year as a patron of the Halo Trust. He spoke with families near one of Africa’s largest minefields during that trip.
Where to watch
The newly released clip appears as part of ITV News’ Reporting History. The series streams on ITVX and on major podcast platforms and YouTube. Filmogaz.com covered the release and the wider context of the footage.
