The film, which focuses on the last two years before her death in a Paris car crash, will be released worldwide on September 20.
It was nerve-racking going into it
As well as Diana’s philanthropic efforts, the film will document her personal relationships with both Dr Hasnat Khan, and Dodi Fayed – who died with her in the crash.
Diana was reportedly so besotted with heart surgeon Khan that she was prepared to move to Pakistan and marry him.
Naomi Watts, the actress with the tough job of portraying ‘The People’s Princess,’ told a UK newspaper that although the film-makers ‘bent over backwards’ not to cause offence, they didn’t want to sanitise the Princess’ affair with Khan.
‘They’re from different cultures — and she was prepared to marry him, and move to Pakistan with him. We had to explore all of that,’ she said.
The 44 year-old Australian actress said she has already come up against criticism for her portrayal, and had initially turned the role down.
‘Some people have said to me: “Why would you do that? You’re not the right look! You don’t have the nose! You don’t have the walk, or talk; or the height.” ’
‘It was nerve-racking going into it — and now I’m reaching the second nervous state,’ she confessed, as Diana approaches its world premiere in London on September 5.
It is not surprising that Naomi, through playing the role, began to wonder how Diana coped with the constant scrutiny.
‘Who could survive that? And who wouldn’t want to try to control it as best they could? There were times that worked for her, and times when it backfired.’
Watch the trailer for Diana above.