Princess Diana, the beloved “People’s Princess,” was renowned for her heartfelt hospital visits, where she brought comfort, joy, and hope to patients of all ages. Her warmth and empathy made her a beacon for the sick and suffering, a figure whose mere presence seemed to lift spirits and ease burdens.
But behind the scenes of these compassionate gestures, one particular hospital visit blossomed into a deeply personal, passionate love story — one that remained cloaked in secrecy for years, hidden from the relentless gaze of the media and public.
It was 1995, just two months before the famous Panorama interview that would shake the world. In that interview, Diana courageously spoke about her struggles with mental health and the difficulties she faced within her marriage to Prince Charles, earning the empathy and admiration of millions. Yet, prior to that defining moment, Diana had already crossed paths with a man who would leave an indelible mark on her heart: Dr. Hasnat Khan.
Dr. Khan, a distinguished heart surgeon at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, was the very picture of understated charm. His striking dark features drew comparisons to the legendary actor Omar Sharif, and his quiet confidence made him stand out amid the clinical corridors of the hospital. But what brought the Princess of Wales to his world?
The connection began through a mutual friend — Joe Toffolo, a patient of Dr. Khan, married to Oonagh Shanley-Toffolo, an Irish acupuncturist and close confidante of Diana. It was through this subtle introduction that Diana’s visits became increasingly frequent. She returned to the hospital nearly every day for three weeks, her presence marked by curiosity and an unspoken desire to get to know the doctor who had captured her attention. Their chemistry was electric, immediate, and undeniable.
Dr. Khan was far from the typical royal match. He was 37, a dedicated surgeon with a demanding schedule, who smoked a pack of cigarettes daily, had a love for late-night jazz clubs, and harbored a soft spot for Kentucky Fried Chicken — quirks that might have seemed incongruous with the life of the Princess of Wales. Yet Diana, ever fearless in matters of the heart, was drawn to him. “He’s drop-dead gorgeous,” she reportedly confided to Oonagh Toffolo.
To protect their budding romance from the media glare, Diana cleverly used secret messages and an alias, “Dr. Armani,” arranging clandestine meetings in unconventional places. On one occasion, she wore a black wig to slip into Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, while on another, Khan hid in the boot of a car to enter Kensington Palace, aided by Diana’s loyal butler, Paul Burrell. Their love flourished amidst secrecy, small gestures, and stolen moments.
Diana was utterly captivated. She even requested that her butler find a priest who could marry them — despite Dr. Khan’s Muslim faith — a testament to her commitment to the man she considered her soulmate. She immersed herself in his world, reading about Islam and embracing aspects of his culture. Diana also visited his family in Lahore, Pakistan, where she shared afternoons of tea, conversation, and genuine connection, a glimpse into a life far removed from royal obligations.
The relationship took on even greater significance when Diana introduced Khan to her sons, William and Harry, calling him “Mr. Wonderful” and reportedly referring to him as her soulmate. Friends confirmed that Dr. Khan was the love of her life, and the bond they shared was as deep as it was secretive.
However, as with many love stories, outside pressures began to weigh heavily. The relentless media attention surrounding Diana’s personal life made public acknowledgment impossible. Khan feared that the spotlight might jeopardize his career, and despite Diana’s desire to be open about their relationship, compromises proved elusive. Discussions of relocating to Pakistan, Australia, or South Africa were considered but never materialized. The growing tension ultimately led to the heartbreaking end of their romance in July 1997.
Just a month later, tragedy struck. On August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris, alongside her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul. Dr. Khan learned about her relationship with Dodi only after it became public. “When I found out, I was really mad; mad as hell,” he admitted in a 2012 interview. He attended her funeral at Westminster Abbey, forever marked by her loss. The shadow of her untimely death remained with him, a persistent echo of grief and remembrance.
Despite the heartbreak, Khan remembers Diana fondly: “We all have our drawbacks, but I found her a very normal person with great qualities and some personal drawbacks, like bad habits.” Diana’s humanity, warmth, and extraordinary compassion left an enduring impression on him.
In the years that followed, Dr. Khan married Hadia Sher Ali in 2006, a descendant of Afghan royalty, though the couple divorced two years later. Today, he continues his work as a heart surgeon in the UK while contributing to humanitarian efforts in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He reflects on life with calm and peace: “It is very good to be home. I am quite relieved to be home. My blood pressure is stable—I go fishing, I go for walks. It feels like a sanctuary. It’s very peaceful.”
The romance between Princess Diana and Dr. Hasnat Khan was brief, yet it stands as a poignant chapter in her life — a testament to the complexities of love under the scrutiny of public life and royal duty. It reminds us that even those who seem larger than life are, at their core, people who seek connection, joy, and understanding.
As we reflect on Diana’s legacy, we remember not only her charitable work and global influence but also her profound humanity — the woman who dared to love, who sought happiness in unexpected places, and whose heart remained both tender and courageous until the very end.