The Real Reason Princess Diana Didn't Have An Open Casket Funeral

After being brought to the hospital following the crash, Princess Diana underwent massive medical intervention as doctors attempted to save her life. The British royal suffered a concussion in the car wreck, as well as a broken arm and a badly cut thigh. More than the other injuries though, it was a serious chest injury that killed her. The injury was so severe, in fact, Diana's heart had moved within her rib cage, and she suffered massive internal bleeding caused by a severed pulmonary vein. If Diana had been wearing a seatbelt, she might have survived, argues Parade. After suffering such a long list of injuries and undergoing an autopsy, Diana's body was in no condition to be put on view.

Although conspiracy theories swirled around Diana's death, it was eventually ruled by British police to be nothing more than a tragic accident, worsened by the intoxication of limo driver Henri Paul. Paul died at the scene with a blood alcohol content three times the French legal limit. No one was charged in the case, according to History. If circumstances surrounding the death of Princess Diana were different, could she possibly have had an open casket funeral? That's impossible to say. Based on tradition, though, it's highly unlikely that would be the case.