Dr. Hasnat Khan is a name that became known worldwide due to his romantic relationship with Princess Diana in the mid-1990s. However, beyond the headlines of royal relationships and tabloid rumors, Hasnat Khan is a highly respected cardiothoracic surgeon who has devoted his life to the field of medicine, saving countless lives in the process. His story is one of quiet professionalism, personal sacrifice, and an enduring legacy in the medical world, while also marked by the unavoidable spotlight that came with his relationship with Diana.
Early Life and Education
Hasnat Khan was born on April 1, 1958, in Jhelum, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He grew up in a respected family with strong ties to education and service. Khan’s family background influenced his pursuit of higher education and his decision to enter the medical profession. He was the eldest of four children and from a young age, displayed an interest in academics, particularly in the sciences. His family encouraged his academic endeavors, and he soon found his calling in medicine.
Khan moved to the UK for his higher education and studied at the Imperial College School of Medicine in London, where he trained to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. His commitment to heart and lung surgery led him to a career focused on high-risk cardiac operations, including surgeries involving the heart, lungs, and other critical thoracic procedures.
Hasnat Khan Medical Career and Expertise
Dr. Khan’s medical career spans several decades and has taken him to some of the most prestigious heart surgery centers in the world. He worked in top institutions like the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, known for its heart and lung transplant programs, and later moved to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and Harefield Hospital. Khan earned a reputation as a highly skilled surgeon, known for his calm demeanor in the operating room and his ability to perform complex procedures.
He is best known for his work in cardiothoracic surgery, a specialty that involves delicate operations on the heart and lungs. His areas of expertise include mitral valve repair, aortic surgery, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Dr. Khan’s precision and focus earned him the admiration of both his colleagues and his patients. Despite his professional success, he has always maintained a low profile, never seeking the spotlight for his achievements in medicine.
Hasnat Khan Relationship with Princess Diana
It was in the mid-1990s that Hasnat Khan’s life took a dramatic turn, as he became involved with Princess Diana. Their relationship began in 1995, when Diana visited the Royal Brompton Hospital for a charity visit. Khan was introduced to Diana during her visit, and it wasn’t long before the two formed a strong emotional connection.
Diana described Khan as “the love of her life,” and their bond deepened over the next two years. Unlike the highly publicized aspects of Diana’s other relationships, her connection with Khan was largely private. The two often met in secret, away from the prying eyes of the media. Their relationship was one of genuine emotional depth, and it was clear to those close to Diana that she found in Khan not just a romantic partner, but someone who understood her needs and the challenges she faced as a public figure.
However, the relationship faced significant obstacles. Khan, a reserved and private man, was not comfortable with the intense media attention that came with being romantically linked to Princess Diana. In addition, the pressures of Diana’s royal status made it difficult for them to maintain a long-term relationship without constant scrutiny. Despite their deep affection for one another, the relationship ended in the summer of 1997, just before Diana’s tragic death in a car accident.
Hasnat Khan Death and Its Aftermath
The world was shocked when Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997. Her death came just a month after she and Hasnat Khan had ended their relationship. Khan was deeply affected by her death, and despite the media frenzy surrounding her passing, he remained out of the public eye, honoring the privacy that had characterized his life with Diana.
Hasnat Khan did attend Diana’s funeral in September 1997, but he did so quietly, without seeking any attention or making a public statement. His appearance at the funeral was a sign of his deep respect for the woman he had loved and lost. Khan’s role in Diana’s life was widely acknowledged in the aftermath of her death, but he chose to maintain his distance from the media, continuing with his work in medicine.
Later Years: Personal Life and Career
After Diana’s death, Hasnat Khan largely withdrew from the public eye. He continued his medical career and moved to Essex, where he worked at the Basildon University Hospital. There, he continued performing surgeries and offering consultations, but his professional life was marked by a quiet dedication to his patients, far from the glare of the media spotlight.
In terms of his personal life, Khan has been married twice. His first marriage was to Hadia Sher Ali in 2006, but the couple divorced in 2008. He later married Somi Sohail, and the couple has maintained a relatively private existence. Although Khan’s personal life has remained largely under wraps, it is clear that his priority has always been his work in medicine and his desire for a peaceful, private life away from public scrutiny.
Media Portrayals
Despite his efforts to stay out of the limelight, Hasnat Khan’s life has been depicted in the media, especially due to his relationship with Diana. His character was portrayed in movies, such as the 2013 film Diana, where he was played by actor Naveen Andrews. The film depicted the romantic relationship between Khan and Diana, but it was met with mixed reviews, with Khan himself expressing dissatisfaction with how his character and relationship were portrayed.
In addition, Khan was portrayed in the popular Netflix series The Crown, where the character of Hasnat Khan appeared in Season 5. This brought his story to a new generation, once again thrusting his private life into the public eye. However, despite these portrayals, Khan has consistently avoided commenting publicly on his past relationship with Diana, preferring to focus on his medical career and personal life.
Hasnat Khan Today
Today, Hasnat Khan is living a quieter life in Essex, where he continues to practice as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon. He maintains a reputation as one of the UK’s leading heart surgeons, highly regarded for his skills and experience in complex heart surgeries. Khan has never sought fame or celebrity, and instead, he continues to focus on his patients and his craft.
Though his personal life remains mostly private, Khan is remembered not only for his relationship with Princess Diana but for his exceptional contributions to the field of heart surgery. His patients and colleagues continue to admire him for his calm and precise approach to medicine, his dedication to the well-being of his patients, and his quiet, reserved nature.
Conclusion
Hasnat Khan’s life has been one of remarkable professional achievement and quiet personal devotion. While his relationship with Princess Diana brought him international fame, his legacy will ultimately be defined by his contributions to cardiothoracic surgery and his dedication to improving the lives of his patients. He remains a figure of admiration in the medical world, known for his precision, his expertise, and his ability to work under pressure.
As the years pass, Hasnat Khan’s story may continue to be explored in books, films, and documentaries, but at its core, his legacy is one of medical excellence and a desire for privacy. In a world often obsessed with fame and public attention, Khan’s story is a reminder that some of the most profound contributions are made quietly, away from the spotlight.