5 Fascinating Facts About Princess Diana and Hasnat Khan’s Hidden Love Story
Princess Diana, known worldwide for her humanitarian work and iconic public persona, led a life that was filled with emotional highs and heartbreaking lows. Among the many chapters of her extraordinary life, one stands out as both deeply personal and intensely secretive: her passionate affair with Dr. Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon. This love story, shrouded in secrecy for years, remains one of the most fascinating and poignant episodes of her life. Here are five captivating facts about Princess Diana and Hasnat Khan’s hidden romance.
Adevertisement
1. A Chance Meeting at the Hospital
In 1995, Princess Diana visited the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, a hospital known for its work in treating heart and lung conditions. During this visit, she met Dr. Hasnat Khan, a highly skilled heart surgeon who was described by some as having the looks of the legendary actor Omar Sharif. Diana’s visit, which was initially to support a patient, turned into a life-changing moment. Diana and Khan’s chemistry was immediate and undeniable. What began as a professional encounter soon evolved into a deep and passionate love affair that would remain a secret for the better part of two years.
Adevertisement

2. Their Love Blossomed in Secrecy
Diana, always seeking normalcy and privacy despite her global fame, fell deeply in love with Khan. However, their romance was far from conventional. Due to the intense media scrutiny that surrounded Diana’s every move, the couple took extreme measures to keep their relationship under wraps. Diana cleverly used the alias “Dr. Armani” when sending messages to Khan. To meet in private, Diana would often wear disguises, such as a black wig, and they would frequent hidden spots like Soho’s famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s. In one instance, Khan even hid in the boot of a car to enter Kensington Palace undetected.
Adevertisement
3. Diana’s Admiration for Khan
Diana was enamored with Khan, describing him as “drop-dead gorgeous” to her close confidante, Oonagh Toffolo. The love they shared was not just physical but emotional. Diana found comfort in Khan’s simplicity and the fact that, unlike many in her life, he didn’t treat her like royalty. Despite their cultural differences—Khan was a Muslim from Pakistan and Diana, the Princess of Wales—the couple shared a bond that transcended these divides. Diana even took steps to learn more about Khan’s heritage, reading books on Islam and visiting his family in Lahore, Pakistan, where she embraced their culture.
4. The Romance Deepened, But Public Pressure Took Its Toll
As their relationship deepened, Diana became more vocal about her feelings for Khan, even introducing him to her sons, William and Harry. She referred to him as “Mr. Wonderful” and confided in her butler, Paul Burrell, that Khan was her soulmate. Despite the warmth and affection between them, the relationship faced significant pressure from the constant media attention. Khan, who was extremely private, was uncomfortable with the public scrutiny and feared it could jeopardize his medical career. This difference in how they wanted to handle their love life led to tension between the two, with discussions of relocating to Pakistan, Australia, or South Africa in an effort to escape the media spotlight. Unfortunately, the stress of the situation led to their breakup in July 1997.

5. Tragedy Strikes: The End of Their Love Story
Just a month after their breakup, tragedy struck. On August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris, alongside her partner Dodi Fayed. Khan, who had not known about Diana’s relationship with Dodi, was devastated by the news of her death. In a later interview, he confessed, “When I found out, I was really mad; mad as hell.” Despite the painful end to their romance, Khan has often spoken fondly of Diana, describing her as a “normal person with great qualities.” His memories of her remain bittersweet, and the impact of their lost love still lingers in his heart.
Princess Diana’s Legacy and Love with Dr. Hasnat Khan
Though their relationship was brief and ultimately cut short by tragic circumstances, the love between Princess Diana and Dr. Hasnat Khan remains one of the most enduring and emotional aspects of her life story. Their bond, formed in the shadows of Diana’s very public existence, showed a different side of the Princess—a side that sought love, companionship, and normalcy beyond the royal duties and media frenzy.
For Dr. Khan, their love was something deeply personal, a moment of happiness that he continues to reflect on with a mix of fondness and sorrow. For Diana, it was a rare relationship where she felt truly seen and loved for who she was, away from the pressures of her royal status.
Conclusion
The love story between Princess Diana and Dr. Hasnat Khan is one of the most fascinating hidden chapters of her life. It reminds us that, despite the grandness of her title, Diana was first and foremost a woman who sought love and happiness in the most personal and profound ways. While their relationship may have been kept secret from the public eye, the legacy of their love lives on, as a testament to the complexities of love, loss, and the human heart.