Canadian rock star Bryan Adams has spoken candidly about his friendship with Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997. He said he tried to "save" her from the pressures of royal life and the media attention.
Adams, who wrote a song called Diana in 1985, said he met the princess through a mutual friend and they had a lot of "really, really good conversations". He told The Times that he "really, really liked Diana" and that she was an "amazing woman and a super-great inspiration".
The singer, who is best known for hits such as Summer of 69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, said he retired the song Diana after her death "out of respect". He also denied that the song was about his alleged affair with her, saying it was inspired by a man who broke into the Queen's bedroom in 1982.
Adams' interview comes as Netflix prepares to release the final episodes of The Crown, the popular drama series that depicts the life of the British monarchy. The sixth season, which will be split into two parts, will cover the events of the late 1990s, including Diana's death and its aftermath.
The show will also explore the relationship between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who married in 2005, and the emergence of a new generation of royals, such as Prince William and Kate Middleton. The cast of the show includes Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Dominic West as Prince Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.
