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Diana driver 'did not seem drunk' Diana driver 'did not seem drunk'
(9 minutes later)
Princess Diana's driver Henri Paul did not appear to be drunk just hours before the fatal car crash, her inquest has been told.Princess Diana's driver Henri Paul did not appear to be drunk just hours before the fatal car crash, her inquest has been told.
Sebastien Trotte, a former barman at the Ritz in Paris where Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were staying, said he served Mr Paul in the hotel's Bar Vendome.Sebastien Trotte, a former barman at the Ritz in Paris where Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were staying, said he served Mr Paul in the hotel's Bar Vendome.
He said Mr Paul drank two 4cl measures of Ricard - aniseed spirit - but did not appear to be "in any sense drunk".He said Mr Paul drank two 4cl measures of Ricard - aniseed spirit - but did not appear to be "in any sense drunk".
Mr Paul died along with Diana and Mr Al Fayed in the crash on 31 August 1997.Mr Paul died along with Diana and Mr Al Fayed in the crash on 31 August 1997.
BodyguardsBodyguards
Mr Trotte gave evidence to the High Court inquest in London by video link from Paris.Mr Trotte gave evidence to the High Court inquest in London by video link from Paris.
He said he served Mr Paul as he sat with bodyguards while they waited "for the signal" for the princess and Mr Al Fayed to leave.He said he served Mr Paul as he sat with bodyguards while they waited "for the signal" for the princess and Mr Al Fayed to leave.
Ian Burnett QC, counsel for the inquest, asked him: "Did he appear to you to have had too much to drink?"Ian Burnett QC, counsel for the inquest, asked him: "Did he appear to you to have had too much to drink?"
Mr Trotte replied: "No."Mr Trotte replied: "No."
"Did he appear to you to be in any sense drunk?" Mr Burnett said."Did he appear to you to be in any sense drunk?" Mr Burnett said.
"No," Mr Trotte answered."No," Mr Trotte answered.
He said Mr Paul and the bodyguards "were all a bit nervous".He said Mr Paul and the bodyguards "were all a bit nervous".
It was for sure he was looking for a ring, but he never said it was for an engagement ring Emanuele GobboRepossi jeweller employee
Another former Ritz barman, Philippe Doucin, also gave evidence on Tuesday.Another former Ritz barman, Philippe Doucin, also gave evidence on Tuesday.
He said Mr Paul appeared "preoccupied, agitated and tense", behaviour he assumed was due to the pressure of driving such high-profile clients.He said Mr Paul appeared "preoccupied, agitated and tense", behaviour he assumed was due to the pressure of driving such high-profile clients.
But Mr Doucin also said Mr Paul did not show signs of being drunk.But Mr Doucin also said Mr Paul did not show signs of being drunk.
Two rings 'Looking for a ring'
The court also heard evidence from Emanuele Gobbo, an employee of Repossi jewellers in Paris which Mr Al Fayed visited just hours before his death. The court also heard evidence from Emanuele Gobbo, an employee of Repossi jewellers in Paris.
It was not a unique item. It was part of a range Emanuele GobboRepossi jeweller employee Mr Al Fayed visited his store hours before his death, accompanied by Claude Roulet, assistant president of the Ritz.
Mr Gobbo said he was told by his employer Alberto Repossi that the shop would be opened specially for the client to look at some jewellery he had seen earlier in their St Tropez branch. Michael Mansfield QC, representing Mr Al Fayed's father Mohamed, asked Mr Gobbo: "Do you remember their interest was in rings and especially engagement rings?"
He said Mr Al Fayed was shown various items and two rings were later collected on his behalf by Claude Roulet, assistant president of the Ritz. Mr Gobbo said: "The word 'engagement' ring was never pronounced. It was for sure he was looking for a ring, but he never said it was for an engagement ring."
Nicholas Hilliard QC, counsel to the inquest, asked about one of those, a ready-made ring. He said: "All things are relative, but for the sort of client you have at Repossi, this was for people on a more limited budget?" On Monday, store owner Alberto Repossi claimed Mr Al Fayed had asked for an engagement ring to be made in Diana's size.
Mr Gobbo said: "It was not a unique item. It was part of a range." Nicholas Hilliard QC, counsel to the inquest, suggested the ring that was later delivered to Mr Al Fayed was ready-made "for people on a more limited budget", rather than someone of his wealth.
He added that Mr Al Fayed would probably have been given a 50% discount on the ring.
Yesterday, Mr Repossi claimed Mr Al Fayed had told him he and Diana were planning to announce their engagement.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.