All The Men Princess Diana Was Romantically Linked To

Britain Eagerly Awaited The Royal Wedding

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Back in 1981, the nation at large was excited about the engagement and upcoming royal wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana. At the time, Lady Diana Spencer was only 19 years old, a normal young woman with a normal childhood and upbringing, who perhaps had no idea what she was about to get into when she fell in love with a prince.

Charles And Diana Sent The Media Into A Frenzy

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E Online

Prince Charles and Lady Diana took the media by storm. They were n the front page of every newspaper in the months running up to their big day, following their engagement announcement and those famous engagement shoot pics. Little did a lot of the public know, that Charles and Diana had actually only met 12 times before they officially tied the knot.

Young Diana Was Catapulted Into Royal Stardom

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The deal was done when Diana agreed to marry Charles, and the young woman was thrust into fame and the life of a royal under the constant scrutiny of not only the public eye, but the paparazzi, too. But Diana needn’t have worried, as she soon became beloved by the nation and truly the people’s Princess. Despite having the nation’s love and support…

The Problems Between Diana And Charles Ultimately Led To Her Following Her Heart Elsewhere

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The Princess couldn’t then be blamed for being romantically linked, or even involved, with other people, as a result of her unhappy marriage and turbulent life in the spotlight. Not doubt Diana was constantly looking for a reprieve from the pressures of not only royal life, but a strained marriage where she was forced to put on a public front.

Number One: Prince Charles

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Naturally, Prince Charles is the most famous man Diana has dated, married and been romantically linked to. Ten years before his official marriage to Diana, Charles was dating Camilla Parker-Bowles – his current wife following Princess Diana’s death, and also the source of many arguments, stresses and rumours of affairs throughout the pair’s marriage.

So Why Didn’t Camilla and Charles Officially Wed?

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Historians and royal experts believe that the pair didn’t get married because Camilla wasn’t from enough of an aristocratic background to make a serious contender for the future queen of England. If this is the case, it seems that young Lady Diana made a more ‘suitable’ partner due to being born to wealthy parents and an aristocratic upbringing.

Camilla was Prince Charles’ First Love

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If you’ve watched The Crown, then you’ll already know the rumours and information surrounding Camilla and Charles’ relationship – that she always seemed to be the woman for him, even after marrying Diana. But despite his relationship with Camilla, Charles and Diana’s love story (if that) began when Lady Diana was just 16 years old, growing up in an upper-class family.

Prince Charles Was Under Immense Pressure From His Father To Get Married

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During this time, like any young royal would be, Charles was under serious pressure from his father, Prince Phillip, to get married, settle down with a wife and start a family to continue the royal bloodline. It was enough pressure in itself to be the future King of England, but Charles was feeling it tenfold with the mounting expectation that he should find a suitable wife.

Charles and Diana’s Wedding Was Watched By Over 750 Million People

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Despite any misgivings the pair might have had about their vows, or whether Charles was already resenting not being able to spend wedded bliss with Camilla, the royal wedding was still an exciting and happy event broadcast across the globe and watched by 750 million fans of the young royal couple.

Princess Diana’s Famous Panorama Interview

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The world could already see how unhappy the princess appeared to be in her marriage, based on photos and public appearances with Charles. But it was her famous Panorama interview in 1995 that solidified the rumours. Speaking during the interview, Diana revealed her marriage troubles and how, deep down, she wasn’t actually happy..

Diana Appeared To Lack The Confidence That Came So Easily To Her Rival, Camilla

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At just 19 years old and already thrust into the limelight with body issues and society pressures, Diana seemed to lack the confidence that Camilla made look so easy and natural. Diana also recalled the point when Charles put his hand on her waist and made a comment over her being a bit ‘chubby’. This, unsurprisingly, triggered something in the already vulnerable Diana.

Prince Charles And Diana Were Often Seen Arguing In Public

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It's public knowledge by now that most of the historic photos you will see of Charles and Diana together are fraught with tension. Even their engagement photos now, in hindsight, have something a little uneasy about them. And over their 12 years of marriage, the pair had their most intimate secrets splashed across every newspaper, as well as having their every move and expression scrutinised for the state of their marriage.

Number Two: Barry Mannakee

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Princess Diana’s beauty and warmth always shone through, and it’s no surprise that she would become one of the most desirable people on the planet, attracting attention away from her husband. But falling for Princess Diana or trying to begin any sort of relationship with her would always come at a cost, for the simple reason that Diana was never out of the spotlight.

Diana Was Never Seen Without Her Bodyguard, Barry

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Because Diana could never leave her home or travel anywhere without being hounded or harassed, it was inevitable that she would need a bodyguard that would never leave her side. And when you spend that much time together with a bodyguard, often alone or in lonely social situations (perhaps when she was making public appearances away from Charles)...

Barry Became A Supportive Comfort To Princess Di During Dark Times

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By 1985, Princess Diana was the mother of two young princes, William and Harry. It could be said she had a happy family life, but behind closed doors, she was battling depression alongside other mental illnesses without any support system, least of all (it would seem) from her husband, Charles. Battling depression is one thing, but battling depression when you’re a princess in the public eye trying to raise two sons is another battle altogether.

Barry Was Sacked Due To His Romantic Closeness With The Princess

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With their friendship and relationship growing, Barry was then transferred from his role of bodyguard to Princess Diana after a year working with her, following what was described as an ‘inappropriate’ relationship. And just like that, Diana was stripped of her close friend and confidant. Diana had previously stated in a video obtained by the NBC that she was “only happy when he was around”…

Barry Escorted Diana To Most Events And Even Looked After William And Harry

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It would make sense why two people spending so much time together would become close, and especially when Barry escorted Diana to most public and royal events, easily becoming a familiar presence at her arm. Not only was Barry her constant date, of sorts, but he was also a good caretaker of Diana’s children, Princes William and Harry.

Conspiracy Theorists Believe Barry Was Killed Because Of His Relationship With Princess Diana

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It's not the first sensational conspiracy theory to be circulated around Princess Diana, and it probably won't be the last. But some theorists believed at the time of Barry's death - and still believe - that he was 'killed off' because of his alleged affair with the princess. When Diana's tapes were later released (4 years after her death) some people still held true to the belief that Barry's death was arranged, despite what the princess herself argued.

Number Three: James Hewitt

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By 1986, it seemed that Charles’s relationship (or affair) with Camilla was back in full swing. Diana at this point had apparently given up any chance of their marriage being saved, and it seemed that Charles was in agreement. Camilla was never too far away from the prince. At this point, Diana was still very young in her mid twenties…

Enter Sleazy Cavalry Officer James Hewitt

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After giving up on her failing marriage to Prince Charles, Diana was next exposed to the red-headed cavalry officer James Hewitt. Indeed, Hewitt’s red hair and association with Diana was enough to spark rumours that he could, in fact, be the father of Prince Harry (as apparently a shared hair colour is all it takes). James was originally Diana’s horse riding coach.

Hewitt Latched Onto Diana During A Vulnerable Time

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Still grieving over Barry’s death and her failing marriage, it’s no surprise that Diana would have easily succumbed to Hewitt’s charm and gained attention and support that she desperately needed. Hewitt slowly wormed his way into her inner circle and began showering the young princess with gifts and attention. It was around this time that Princes Charles was reportedly cheating on Diana…

James Was Even Friends With Diana’s Husband, Prince Charles

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During the time of Charles’ rumoured affair with Camilla, and Hewitt’s rumoured dalliance with Diana, the pair were actually close friends. Ken Wharfe continued to discuss the bizarre situation in his book, where he stated that Diana would ‘flush red’ when discussing the situation with Hewitt, whilst maintaining that ‘nothing was going on’.

Diana And Hewitt Were Forced To Separate When Hewitt Was Deployed

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Five years after Diana and Hewitt first met, Hewitt was deployed to serve in the Gulf War. This forced him and Diana to forcibly separate, and permanently end what had been rumoured to be a five year affair when it their relationship was exposed to the media. The media attention was what also sparked the rumours that Hewitt could be Prince Harry’s father…

James Betrayed Diana’s Trust In The End

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But Princes Diana learned the hard way that her bae Hewitt wasn’t to be trusted. He betrayed her trust by working with author Anna Pasternak on her 1994 book ‘Princess In Love’. In this book, Anna revealed the truth about Diana’s relationship with James to the world, detailing their five-year relationship without Diana’s consent and with James’s full approval.

Number Four: James Gilbey

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Also during the late 1980’s, whilst still rumoured to be involved with Hewitt, Diana became entangled with another man: James Gilbey. Gilbey and Diana had been childhood friends, a friendship that apparently became rekindled when they were young adults. Gilbey was a Lotus Car Executive as well as heir to a gin dynasty – so a lot to unpack with that one.

‘Lovey-Dovey’ Phone Calls Between Diana And Gilbey Were Leaked To The Press

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Princess Diana always denied ever having an affair with James Gilbey, but despite her denial, there were leaked phone recordings between the pair of them which suggested a loved-up tone, even if they didn’t fully prove anything had physically been going on between the pair of them. It did appear that Gilbey had more affection for Diana that she did to him…

The ‘Squidgygate’ Scandal

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The scandal between James and Princess Di began when the phone call tapes were leaked. Gilbey and the then-married princess were overheard having intimate phone conversations, and it’s unsurprising that Diana couldn’t find privacy even on her own personal phone calls after being hounded by the press. Diana’s calls were routinely eavesdropped on, including phone calls where she raged about Charles’ affair.

Diana Was Understandably Embarrassed Over The Phone Calls Between Her And James

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Diana had previously admitted on more than one occasion that she never felt good enough for the royal family, and it’s difficult not to see why. It’s also easy to understand why she would relish phone calls with people like James to offer her support and company. She also mentioned previously that she always thought the royal establishment was ‘out to get her’…

‘Squidgeygate’ Was Soon Followed By ‘Camillagate’

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Following the leaked phone calls, Gilbey broke up with his fiancé of the time (yes, he was engaged while this was all going on) Lady Alethea Savile. She had actually stood by him through the entire scandal, and sadly died two years after their break up of a drug overdose. Despite Diana and Charles ‘final straw’ message from the queen, Diana and Charles didn’t ‘officially’ divorce until four years later.

Number Five: Oliver Hoare

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Understandably, the whole ‘Squidygate’ and ‘Camillagate’ saga had the public gossiping and worrying over the state of Diana and Charles’ marriage, which means it became more apparent when Diana was spending time with other men, or gave the press something extra to focus on with the potential for further affairs. And Oliver Hoare was the next subject for gossip when it came to the princess’s lovers.

The Princess Was In A Dark Place After Her Father Passed Away In 1992

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For the princess who was already living a life of mental and emotional pressure and turmoil, the passing of her father didn’t do her suffering and grief any good. It’s no surprise, then, that she felt like she needed someone to turn to for emotional support and intimate attention. Enter Oliver Hoare…

Despite Being Close Friends With Charles, Oliver Decided To Console Diana

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When news of the friction and marriage break up between Charles and Diana became evident, Hoare (and even his wife) became intermediaries between the couple. But Oliver chose to spend longer with Diana during this difficult time, spending hours in her private rooms at Kensington Palace. What could easily have been a friend consoling another friend in private apparently turned into something more.

Hoare Was Also A Close Friend Of Camilla, Charles’ Lover

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When the affair became public, a lot of people believed that Diana had chosen to become intimate with Hoare because he was a close personal friend of Camilla Parker Bowles – and that the princess had wanted to keep tabs on Camilla by using Oliver for information on her nemesis. When the affair became public, Oliver’s wife also threatened him with divorce if he didn’t break off the relationship with the princess – which he did…

Number Six: Theodore Forstmann

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By the time Theodore came around, Diana and Charles were officially separated, meaning Diana had more freedom about who she did and didn’t see romantically. Of course, she would never be fully free to date whoever she pleased, as the eyes of the paparazzi were always on her, and any of her lovers. Diana’s personal style had been evolving over the years…

The ‘New Diana’ Was Introduced To The World, Catching The Eye Of Billionaire Forstmann

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This new version of the princess was clearly one who didn’t need the royal family, and especially didn’t need Charles – and she wanted the world to know it. She quickly established herself as a fashion icon, modern woman and still the people’s princess – and the revenge dress only sealed the deal. Diana’s newfound attitude caught the eye of billionaire entrepreneur, Theodore Forstmann.

Forstmann Was Apparently Still In Touch With Diana Right Up Until Her Death

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Forstmann apparently send the princess flowers every day for three years – that’s a lot of determination, and a lot of flowers! Not only that, but Theodore was apparently still in touch with the princess in her later years, right until her tragic death. All eyes of the press and the world were now on the newly-single Princess Diana, which means even more concern over phone conversations being tapped and photos being taken…

Forstmann Broke Off The Romance With Princess Di

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Perhaps it was a natural decline in their romance, the pressures of the press and security coming between them, or maybe a bit of both – but eventually, Theodore decided to end the relationship with Princess Diana. It may have even been a mutual decision. Or, it could be that Forstmann’s ex played a part in the decision, seeing as the billionaire reunited with his ex-partner, Deborah Hagerty.

Number Seven: John Kennedy Jr

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As the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire, and usually this is the case – but when it came to Princess Diana, and her reputation and fame, there was a lot of smoke without fire simply because people were ready to tarnish her name or betray her good graces. And when it came to the princess, an easy target was going to be rumours about her love life.

Simone Simmons Claimed Princess Diana Had An Affair With John Kennedy Jnr

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It could, of course, be all untrue, based on how many people claiming to know Diana’s secrets want to make some money after her death. A book revealing shocking affairs would certainly be a money maker, whether they’re true or not. After all, someone claiming to be a close friend of Diana would never rush to reveal their friend’s secrets after their death – so how much can we trust Simmons’ word?

Despite What The Book Says, Friends Of Diana Claim It’s Not True

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The book goes on to say that Diana admitted that ‘moment of pure lust’ went on to a conversation that led to them ending up in bed together, based on ‘pure chemistry’. But friends of the late princess – and presumably actual friends, rather than people claiming to be her friend, like Simmons – dismissed these claims are ‘simply untrue’ and ‘nonsense’.

It Was Anticipated That Diana And JFK Jnr’s Meeting Would Be Leaked

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Whether people at the time knew that rumours would begin circulating about an apparent affair is unknown, but they at least knew that Diana meeting with JFK Jnr was something that was going to be talked about. Apparently JFK Jnr’s assistant found organising the meeting extremely difficult due to the reputation of both parties, and JFK Jnr himself apparently said there’s no way it wasn’t going to be leaked.

Number Eight: Will Carling

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During the time that Princess Diana met rugby player Will Carling, she was in a great place in terms of her own personal image, freedom and the height of her popularity with the nation. She met Will in the early 90s, and while rumours were still circulating about her association with John Kennedy Jnr, new rumours were beginning regarding Diana’s alleged fling with the rugby player. She really couldn’t catch a breather!

Diana And Will Became Friends

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There were a lot of rumours circulating about Diana and Will, and a lot of them will be nonsense based on rumours of an affair, but what was definitely true was that the pair did meet, become friends and spend time together. After initially meeting at the Harbour Club in Chelsea, West London, Diana asked the sportsman for ‘private training sessions’.

Princess Diana Took Her Sons To Watch His Rugby Game

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The princess also enjoyed days out with young William and Harry by taking them to watch Will Carling play rugby. This could, of course, have been a friend supporting another friend in his career – and really, when you have a rugby player as a friend and personal trainer, why wouldn’t you go to watch one of his games?

Carling’s Wife Blamed Diana For The Breakdown Of Their Marriage

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Will Carling and his wife, Julia, eventually got divorced, and it seems that Julia blamed the princess for their marriage breakdown, whether an affair actually happened or not. Julia lashed out at the pair of them, saying that she was ‘sad Will put himself in that position, and that the princess did as well’. She also said that Diana has had these things happen to her before, and that ‘you hope she won’t do these things again, but obviously she does’.

Number Nine: Bryan Adams

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Yes, that

Bryan Adams. Because all it takes is for a musician to release a single with the title as a woman’s name, and that’s enough to get the rumours circulating. Which is exactly what happened when the music sensation released a hit called ‘Diana’ – with lyrics including ‘Diana, can’t you see you drive me wild’…

The Pair First Met In The 80s

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No, unfortunately their first meeting wasn’t the ‘summer of 69’, but was, in fact, in the 1980’s. The princess was seen chatting with the Canadian music star in Vancouver, during a gala event in 1986. It’s important to note that, by this point, Adams had already released his single ‘Diana’, which had caused people to speculate about his relationship with the princess – before they’d even met!

Adam’s Ex-Girlfriend Claimed She Knew About The Affair

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Singer Bryan Adams wasn’t married at the time of his alleged hook up with the princess – unlike so many of her rumoured dalliances – but he was in a relationship. Adams was in a relationship with Cecilie Thomsen, a relationship that lasted 12 years before the pair called it quits. But was that Diana’s fault?

Adam’s Ex Spoke Openly About Bryan’s Relationship With The Princess

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Cecilie Thomsen spoke about the fact that Diana’s butler, Paul Burrell, also knew Bryan Adams very well. That Paul was part of the ‘inner circle’ around the princess, and that it was Burrell who introduced Adams to Diana. Thomsen went on to claim that the very first time Adams met Princess Diana, she herself hadn’t been invited.

Adams Always Maintained They Were Never Anything More Than Just Good Friends

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Even so many years after Princess Diana’s death, there are still rumours about her conquests and people coming forward to make money or publish books based on alleged secrets or rumours. No one knows to this day what really happened between Adams and Diana, despite what Bryan’s ex claims, but the musician still maintains that they were only ever just good friends.

Number Ten: Hasnat Khan

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Although it had been many years since Diana and Charles had officially separated, and Diana deserved to find her happiness with someone else, it seemed that she was still struggling to find ‘the one’, even with so many rumours about a great deal of suitors. Next up was Hasnat Khan, a British surgeon. Diana first met Hasnat at an event…

Hasnat – ‘Mr Wonderful’ – Seemed To Be The Perfect Man For Diana

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Their relationship was off to a good start based on that fact that Khan wasn’t already married at the time of their meeting – so no drama about any affairs – and he also wasn’t already a celebrity. Even though Diana would be followed around by the paparazzi, at least Hasnat’s normal status would hopefully mean less attention…

Diana Wanted To Live A Normal Life With Khan

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And who can blame her? Princess Diana and Khan spent a lot of their time at Kensington Palace behind closed doors, so that they could evade the paparazzi and spotlight on their relationship. Venturing out anywhere publicly with Khan would have meant that the tabloids and cameras would descend, so no doubt she wanted a moment of private normality with Khan.

Diana Wanted To Play The Typical Housewife For Khan

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It’s a role that many people would hate – doing regular chores like the dishes and laundry, waiting for your partner to come home from work – but for Diana, these acts of normality and a typical lifestyle away from the royals must have been heaven. The princess would apparently do his dishes and fold his laundry for him in his small apartment while waiting for him to come home from work.

He Even Took Her To Meet His Parents In Pakistan

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Diana apparently wanted to run away with Khan and get married. Close friend Jemima Khan said that Diana was ‘deeply in love’ with Hasnat. It makes complete sense, when here is a normal man, so different than any man Diana has ever associated with, and so different from the royal lifestyle she was forced into. And apparently Khan was just as besotted with the princes…

Number Eleven: Dodi Fayed

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Dodi was perhaps the most well-known of Diana’s romances following her split from Prince Charles, and that’s because he was dating her right up until her death – and tragically died with her in the car that killed them both. Princess Diana, as the world knows, did a lot of charity work throughout her life, during her marriage to Charles, and after.

Dodi Fayed Was Apparently A Bit Of A Playboy

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The princess wasn’t the first to succumb to Dodi’s charms, as Fayed was apparently linked to a line of famous women before Diana, including actress Winona Ryder and singer Nancy Sinatra, as well as being engaged to American model Kelly Fisher in 1997. Dodi was the eldest son of former Harrod’s owner Mohamed Al Fayed, the billionaire.

Dodi And Diana Enjoyed A Romantic Summer Together

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Diana, despite trying to sever ties with the royal family, was still no stranger to a polo match or two. She spent a lot of her life meeting a variety of people at these matches, and one of these meetings was when Diana and Dodi first spoke at a 1986 polo match. But it wasn’t actually at this time that they started up their romance. It was only later that they enjoyed their ‘summer of love’…

Dodi And Diana Appeared To Be Deeply In Love In The Lead Up To Their Deaths

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All the photos seen of Diana and Dodi appear to be love-filled and care free, spending summer days together walking or on his yacht together. The most famous photo remains the one of them kissing on the top of the yacht, so it can’t be denied that the pair had a close and intimate relationship. What seemed to start as a summer infatuation could easily have developed into something more serious, if they’d only been given the time.