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Diana driver 'did not seem drunk' | Diana driver 'did not seem drunk' |
(20 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. |
Bodyguards | Bodyguards |
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 Gobbo,Repossi 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. |
'Looking for a ring' | 'Looking for a ring' |
The court also heard evidence from Emanuele Gobbo, an employee of Repossi jewellers in Paris. | The court also heard evidence from Emanuele Gobbo, an employee of Repossi jewellers in Paris. |
Mr Al Fayed visited his store hours before his death, accompanied by Claude Roulet, assistant president of the Ritz. | Mr Al Fayed visited his store hours before his death, accompanied by Claude Roulet, assistant president of the Ritz. |
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?" | 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?" |
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." | 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." |
On Monday, store owner Alberto Repossi claimed Mr Al Fayed had asked for an engagement ring to be made in Diana's size. | On Monday, store owner Alberto Repossi claimed Mr Al Fayed had asked for an engagement ring to be made in Diana's size. |
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. | 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. |
The inquest continues. | The inquest continues. |