John F. Kennedy Jr. chose not to contact Princes William and Harry after Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, despite encouragement from his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, according to the biography Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller. Released on May 21, the book details Carolyn's compassionate plea for JFK Jr. to offer condolences following Diana's fatal car crash in Paris during a high-speed paparazzi chase.
Carolyn, who had experienced her own struggles with the paparazzi, was reportedly affected by Diana's death and hoped JFK Jr. would reach out to the royal brothers. However, JFK Jr. felt it was too difficult due to the public nature of the tragedy and his limited acquaintance with Diana, having met her only a few times. The biographer noted that JFK Jr. found their situations differed significantly, making him hesitant to offer his condolences.
The biography sheds light on Carolyn's life, depicting her as a deeply compassionate individual contrary to the previously portrayed "icy" demeanor. Carolyn and JFK Jr., who began dating in the early 1990s, were major public figures. Carolyn died alongside JFK Jr. and her sister Lauren in a plane crash off Martha's Vineyard on July 16, 1999. The book offers insight into Carolyn's life, highlighting her compassionate personality amidst her struggles with intense media attention.