Princess Diana was reportedly planning a move to the United States prior to her death in 1997, with friends suggesting she had her sights set on a Malibu mansion owned by her then-boyfriend, Dodi Fayed.
Stewart Pearce, Diana's former voice coach and confidante, told the Daily Mail in 2021 that the princess was considering relocating her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to the U.S. Diana was reportedly exploring a career behind the camera in Hollywood, and a move to California was seen as a crucial step toward this ambition.
Fayed purchased the Malibu property around the time his relationship with Diana began to flourish. The estate, which once belonged to actress Julie Andrews, features six bedrooms, a tennis court, and a pool.
Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, shared in a 2003 interview with Good Morning America that Diana had envisioned the Malibu house as her dream home and had seen plans for its renovation. He recalled Diana expressing a desire for a "better life" for her sons in California, away from the judgmental nature of the British establishment and class system.
The Malibu residence, designed by Ron Wilson, a designer for Cher, was described by Vanity Fair as having a Mediterranean feel overlooking the Pacific. The interior included a large kitchen with distinctive blue and white tiled countertops and hood, a sunroom with large windows and light wood finishes, and neutrally decorated living spaces with bars.
Additional features of the home included spiral staircases, white leather furniture, and cream-colored shag rugs. Bathrooms were noted for their California-cool aesthetic with white and blue tiling. The front entrance featured a Turkish-style runner carpet and a dark wooden bench.
The backyard boasted a large pool, surrounded by white chaise lounge seating, potted plants, and flowers. A small pool house was also part of the property's outdoor amenities.
Fayed died in the same car crash as Princess Diana in Paris. The Malibu property was sold in 1998, a year after their deaths.