Another holiday, another set of stunning costume changes. For weeks the paparazzi have provided some of the most intimate photographs of Princess Diana enjoying her holidays, and with the publication of a new set yesterday, the British press clearly has decided she is the story of the summer.
The Sun devoted three pages of photographs of Princess Diana and the Harrods heir, Mr Dodi alFayed, "putting on their most intimate display of affection yet". The Daily Mail drew a pointed comparison with Prince Charles's companion, Ms Camilla Parker Bowles, who "took shelter from the torrential rain" while on holiday in Spain.
But just in case the British public should think the paparazzi had invaded the privacy of Di and Dodi, the press pointed out that the photographs had not been taken with a long-range camera, but while the couple had moored off the Italian coast at Portofino in a private yacht.
It seemed, the press concluded, that the "public" display of affection between them was just that - public. "The couple apparently only had eyes for each other" and "they were in full view of tourists on the shore" in Portofino, the press said.
One "royal watcher" told the Sun: "I haven't seen Diana so intimate with anyone since the early days with Charles."
The Sun went on to describe "doting Dodi", as he "lovingly caressed Di's bare shoulders and back, and nuzzled his new girlfriend at every opportunity".
Diana, the Sun said, "relaxed with her legs draped over the back of the sofa, gazing at the 42-year-old playboy, the couple separated only by the silver champagne bucket between them".
So, forget about the British government's problems over the Millennium dome or Labour infighting in Scotland, or Ms Clare Short's problems with Montserrat; the "romance" between Di and Dodi has dominated the British press so that other matters seem dull beyond compare.