Princess Diana’s Iconic Dresses That Made Fashion History

When Netflix released the fifth season of The Crown in 2016, fans were drawn once again into the royal drama that shaped the ’90s. The acclaimed series took some creative liberties, yet it beautifully unpacked moments that made viewers ask, “Did that really happen?” The seventh episode, No Woman’s Land, portrayed Princess Diana’s emotional struggling after her separation from Prince Charles — a turning point in her story.

As Elizabeth Debicki brought Lady Diana to life, viewers witnessed a woman torn between her duties as a mother and her desire for peace. Her son William was sent to Eton College, near Windsor Castle, and she often felt isolated despite the proximity to Queen Elizabeth. Their touching goodbye, her wave, and the sad, lonely expression on her face captured the pain of distance only a mother could feel.

Finding solace, Diana’s life took a surprising turn when she met Dr. Hasnat Khan, a Pakistani heart surgeon at Royal Brompton Hospital. Played by Humayun Saeed in The Crown, Dr. Khan was known among patients and staff for his uplifting spirit. Their bond began over simple chats and tea breaks, often near a vending machine, where Diana would sneak a snack or even some junk food.

The princess found comfort in his humility and Pakistani culture, which fascinated her since her solo tour in 1991. Their relationship, though under wraps, was filled with warmth — holding hands, sharing flowers, and even watching movies like Apollo 13 in theaters while in disguise. Once, she joked that he was the frog who broke my heart, yet also the one who made her truly happy.

However, the pressures of media attention, BBC interviews, and constant press scrutiny became unbearable. When reporter Martin Bashir managed to persuade her for the famous BBC interview that later airs worldwide in 1995, it marked the beginning of her public transformation. As Kate Snell later wrote in Diana: Her Last Love, Dr. Khan remained her most important love, even as her romantic relationship with Dodi Fayed in July 1997 drew new headlines.

Sadly, the princess’s story ended tragically in Paris, in the car crash that shocked the world. She was only 36, leaving behind not just memories of a royal decade, but also of a woman who sought joy, gratitude, and real love beyond the palace walls.