Dr. Hasnat Khan, the heart surgeon with whom Princess Diana shared a passionate, two-year romance, has recently been photographed. This marks his first public appearance since Earl Spencer, Diana's brother, disclosed intimate details of their relationship in his memoir, "Swan Song: Diana My Sister." The book revealed Diana's aspirations to escape the intense public scrutiny of her life in the UK by relocating to South Africa with Khan.
According to Earl Spencer's account, Diana even approached Dr. Christiaan Barnard, the pioneering heart surgeon, during a visit to South Africa shortly before her death. She hoped Barnard might help secure a position for Khan at his hospital in Cape Town, envisioning a new life for them in a secluded setting. Diana had reportedly considered South Africa a potential haven, seeking a peaceful existence away from the pressures of her royal life and her 'petulant' ex-husband, King Charles.
Dr. Khan, known as 'Mr Wonderful' by Diana, has largely remained silent about their relationship, which took place while he was working at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. However, he has since returned to his native Pakistan to assume the role of Dean at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore. Three days after the release of Earl Spencer's book in August, Dr. Khan attended the inauguration of Pakistan's first heart transplant center in Lahore, where he was seen escorting Maryam Nawaz, the chief minister of Punjab. His responsibilities at the center are understood to include staff training.
Diana and Dr. Khan's relationship began after they met at the Royal Brompton Hospital. In a rare interview, Dr. Khan described their initial encounter and the subsequent development of their connection, noting Diana's warmth and ordinary nature. Their clandestine dates included visits to a pub near the hospital. At one point, Diana reportedly considered converting to Islam for the sake of their relationship and even introduced Khan to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Despite discussions of marriage and children, Dr. Khan ultimately ended the relationship, citing his inability to cope with the intense public attention that would inevitably accompany a relationship with the world's most famous woman. He expressed concern about the impact on a potential family life, stating he knew he could not live a normal life and would be unable to do ordinary things with any children they might have.
Following their breakup, Diana maintained contact with Khan's family. Tragically, she died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, alongside her partner Dodi Fayed. Dr. Khan attended her funeral and has since spoken of her legacy, emphasizing her genuine efforts to help others.
Dr. Khan's personal life has seen further developments. After a brief arranged marriage, he reportedly married Somi Sohail in 2017. He continues his surgical career, working at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals in Essex, while also establishing a base in Pakistan. He is expected to divide his time between consultancy work in the UK and his role in Pakistan.