In 1995, just before her explosive Panorama interview, Princess Diana embarked on a secret romance that would become one of the most profound relationships of her life. It began during a visit to London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, where she met Dr. Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon whose intense presence and striking resemblance to actor Omar Sharif quickly captivated her. Drawn to his quiet strength and intelligence, Diana returned to the hospital frequently over the next three weeks, actively pursuing him. Their connection marked her most meaningful romantic involvement since her separation from Prince Charles and was kept largely under wraps.
Dr. Khan, a reserved and dedicated Pakistani-born surgeon, stood in stark contrast to the royal world Diana inhabited. Known for his humility and unconventional habits—like smoking, visiting jazz clubs, and enjoying fast food—Khan nonetheless charmed the princess, who affectionately referred to him as “drop-dead gorgeous.” To protect their privacy, Diana took great measures, using the pseudonym “Dr. Armani” and even donning disguises to visit him. Khan, too, resorted to secrecy, once hiding in the boot of a car to enter Kensington Palace with help from Diana’s trusted butler, Paul Burrell.
Their bond deepened as they shared quiet moments and simple pleasures far removed from royal protocol. When Diana was feeling low, Khan took her to a pub humorously named The Prince of Wales, which she found delightfully ironic. Their relationship grew serious—Diana explored his culture, read about Islam, visited his family in Lahore, and seriously considered marriage despite their religious differences. She even introduced him to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, calling Khan “Mr. Wonderful” and, in private conversations, referring to him as her soulmate.
However, the couple faced mounting pressure as Diana’s fame collided with Khan’s need for a low-profile life. Unlike Diana, who was used to constant media attention, Khan dreaded the public exposure and feared it would compromise both his career and peace of mind. The couple discussed relocating to countries like Pakistan or South Africa in hopes of escaping the spotlight, but their opposing views on public life became irreconcilable. In July 1997, they ended their relationship—a decision that devastated both of them. Just weeks later, Diana’s tragic death in Paris shocked the world and left Khan heartbroken upon learning about her relationship with Dodi Fayed through the press.
Even years later, Dr. Hasnat Khan reflects on Diana with admiration and warmth, describing her as “a very normal person with great qualities.” Though he later married Hadia Sher Ali in 2006, the marriage ended in divorce two years later. Khan has since continued his medical work and participates in humanitarian missions in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Now living a quiet life in the UK, he finds peace in nature and solitude. His secret love affair with Princess Diana remains one of the most poignant and private chapters of her life, a reminder of how deeply she yearned for genuine love beyond the palace walls.
