The Heart Surgeon and His Journey
The heart surgeon who once captured the heart of Princess Diana has recently made headlines for relocating to Pakistan. Dr Hasnat Khan, known as ‘Mr Wonderful’ by the late princess, has moved back to his country of birth to take on a significant role at the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore.
Dr Khan’s relationship with Princess Diana was one of the most talked-about romances in the 1990s. The two met at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, where he worked as a cardiologist. Their connection was deep, and it is said that he was the only man Diana ever truly loved. However, their relationship ended just weeks before her tragic death in Paris in August 1997.
Despite the end of their romance, Dr Khan remained a devoted professional, working as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals in Essex. He has also been living with his second wife and their young daughter in the UK. Recently, it has been reported that he will continue to return to the UK for consultancy work while setting up a new base in Pakistan.
Dr Khan was recently photographed meeting Punjab’s chief minister Maryam Nawaz, who welcomed his decision to serve his home country. The chief minister praised his choice, stating, “It is heartening that a son of the soil has chosen to serve his underprivileged compatriots.”
The hospital where Dr Khan will be working has ambitious plans to transform the region into a global hub for medical tourism. This new initiative aims to establish the hospital as a leading center for heart treatment.
Born in 1958, Dr Khan completed his early medical training before moving to Britain. There, he built a distinguished career as a cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, where he trained under the world-renowned transplant surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub.
In 1995, Princess Diana visited a friend at the hospital, where she met Dr Khan. Described as a shy and private man, Dr Khan was single and just two years older than Diana when they met. He recalled a chance encounter that led to a deep connection between them.
The couple enjoyed several dates together, including visits to a local pub. It is even said that Diana smuggled Dr Khan into her Kensington Palace residence hidden in the boot of a car. Despite their growing bond, Dr Khan could not bear the thought of living in the public eye as the partner of the world’s most famous woman.
Diana’s closest friends spoke of her distress when the relationship ended. She had met Dr Khan’s family during a visit to Pakistan in February 1996, where she wore traditional attire and made efforts to win over his family.
The couple discussed marriage and the possibility of moving to Pakistan. Diana even introduced Dr Khan to her sons and considered converting to Islam so they could marry. However, Dr Khan felt that he could not live a normal life with her, and the relationship eventually ended.
After their breakup, Diana went on to be involved with Dodi Fayed, which ultimately led to her tragic death in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Dr Khan attended Diana’s funeral in 1997 and reflected on her legacy, saying, “She did a lot of work. She got to where she was on what she was. She didn’t just shake hands and wave at people. She actually did things.”
Despite the media attention surrounding their relationship, Dr Khan never spoke about it while Diana was alive. He was upset when a movie about their romance was released in 2013 without his approval.
After Diana’s death, Dr Khan continued to focus on his work, living quietly in east London. In 2007, he married Hadia Sher Ali, a Pakistani descendant from Afghan royalty, but their arranged marriage ended after 18 months.
In 2017, Dr Khan was engaged to Somi Sohail, and the couple was photographed together at a charity event in London. The event aimed to raise money for Chain of Hope, an organization focused on providing quality cardiac care to children worldwide.
Dr Khan has always maintained a low profile, avoiding speculation about Diana’s death and rejecting financial opportunities from writing about their relationship. When interviewed in 2021, he remained the same gentle and unassuming figure that Diana fell in love with.
Now, with a new role in Pakistan, Dr Khan continues to dedicate himself to his patients and his work. His journey from the heart of London to the heart of Pakistan is a testament to his commitment to medicine and his enduring dedication to those in need.
