Franklin Graham on Why Princess Diana's Death Should 'Motivate Us Into Action'

After Prince William and Prince Harry discussed their regret at the brevity of their final phone call with their mother, Princess Diana, Franklin Graham explained why the sobering event "should motivate us to action."

Graham, the founder of Samaritan's Purse and the son of evangelist Billy Graham, said Princess Diana's shocking death should remind us that "none of us know when time on earth will end for us, or for those around us."

"That reality should motivate us to action," he said. "How many opportunities do we miss to tell those we love how much they mean to us? Is there someone you need to check on or spend time with today? Is there someone you need to tell they are cared about? Is there someone who you need to tell that Jesus Christ loves them and gave His life so they could be saved? Now's your chance!"

Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham Wikimedia Commons

In a new documentary set to release on Monday by ITV in Great Britain and HBO in the United States, Prince Harry recalls how he quickly got off the phone with his mother just hours before her 1997 death in a car crash in Paris.

"I can't necessarily remember what I said, but all I do remember is regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was," Harry told ITV.

"If I'd known that that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother, the things I would have said to her," he said. "Looking back at it now -- it's incredibly hard. I have to deal with that for the rest of my life: not knowing that it was the last time I'd speak to my mum, how differently that conversation would have panned out if I'd had even the slightest inkling that her life was going to be taken that night."

In the documentary, Prince William said he and his brother, at the time ages 12 and 15 respectively, had been "running around, minding our own business, playing with our cousins and having a very good time" and were in a rush to say "goodbye, see you later, can I go off?"

"If I'd known what was going to happen I wouldn't have been quite so blasé about it," the Duke of Cambridge said. "That phone call sticks in my mind quite heavily."

The ITV documentary, "Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy," celebrates the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the 20th year since her death, according to a press release by the network. It features candid conversations with the princes and Diana's friends, family and admirers.

The documentary is executive produced by Nick Kent of Oxford Film and Television and by producer-director Ashley Gething. For HBO, Nancy Abraham serves as the film's senior producer, with Sheila Nevins as its executive producer.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.