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LONDON - The Duke of Edinburgh could be forced to appoint lawyers to defend himself against allegations that he "masterminded" the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A London High Court ruling on Friday that the inquest into the deaths of Diana and her lover, Dodi Fayed, should be heard by a jury has made the prospect of Philip giving evidence to the hearing more likely.
Dodi's father, Mohamed al Fayed, is pushing for the disclosure of confidential documents, including private letters written by Philip to Diana.
He also wants the inquiry's coroner, Lady Butler-Sloss, to allow more than 18 witnesses who were in Paris on the day of Diana's death to give evidence.
Diana referred to Philip's letters as her "crown jewels" because of what she believed was the incendiary nature of their contents.
An investigation by the former London Metropolitan police chief, Lord Stevens, found that Diana and Dodi died in an accident. Fayed insists the pair were murdered.
This week, he will launch proceedings in France against the French police who investigated his son's death. His lawyers will say they had a legal duty to consider all the evidence.
He maintains this should have included an extensive statement given by an influential confidant of Diana, Lord Mishcon, to a senior Metropolitan police officer which detailed her concerns that the royal family were going to murder her and make her death look like a car crash.
Fayed's lawyers will also consider seeking a judicial review if Lady Butler-Sloss refuses to allow at the inquest all the evidence surrounding Diana's death.
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