Princess Diana was known for her heartfelt visits to hospitals, where she brought joy and hope to those in need.

However, one visit turned into something far more — a passionate love affair that remained shrouded in secrecy for years.

It’s 1995 – just two months prior to the infamous Panorama interview that would forever alter Diana’s life. You might remember that interview, when Princess Diana came clean about her struggles with mental health and the trials of her marriage, capturing the world’s empathy.

Two months before that interview, Diana crossed paths with a handsome doctor, a Muslim whose dark good looks were compared to the charming actor Omar Sharif.

The dashing heart surgeon, Dr. Hasnat Khan, worked at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. But how did this unlikely pair end up together?

Well, that’s because Joe Toffolo, the patient who underwent surgery, was married to Oonagh Shanley-Toffolo, an Irish nun and acupuncturist who was a close confidante of Princess Diana.

After the initial visit, Diana returned to the hospital almost daily for three weeks, eager to pursue the handsome surgeon. The connection was electric.

Smoked cigarettes and loved KFC

Today, when we look back at countless photos of Diana visiting the hospital, it’s officially stated that she went to cheer up sick children or raise awareness for cystic fibrosis.

That’s definitely true. However, she also had personal reasons. Beneath the surface, her motivations were deeply personal. Because at 35, Diana had discovered a reason to smile once more.

When Diana and Khan started seeing each other, it marked Diana’s most serious involvement since her separation from Prince Charles three years earlier.

But it came shrouded in secrecy. Few knew about their budding romance, a bond that seemed improbable at first glance. Dr. Khan, then 37, was a heart surgeon
that was running fat and smoked a pack of cigarettes a day,

He had penchant for late-night jazz clubs and Kentucky Fried Chicken — an unconventional match for the Princess of Wales.

But this didn’t stop Diana.

”He’s drop-dead gorgeous,” Diana reportedly told Oonagh Toffolo.

Secret messages

To keep their love under wraps, Diana cleverly disguised her messages for Khan, using the alias ”Dr. Armani.” They met in secret, often in unconventional spots to avoid prying eyes.

On one occasion, Diana donned a black wig to sneak into Ronnie Scott’s, a famous jazz club in Soho. In another instance, Khan hid in the boot of a car to slip into Kensington Palace, aided by Diana’s loyal butler, Paul Burrell.

Their romance flourished even during casual outings.

One day, when Diana was feeling low, Khan whisked her away to a pub near Harefield Hospital where he had worked. The name? The Prince of Wales.

”She thought it was hilarious,” he recalled with a chuckle.

Diana was so enamored that she even asked her butler to find a priest who could marry them, despite Khan’s Muslim faith. Their love deepened as they spent time together, sharing laughter and discovering each other’s worlds.

Diana reportedly read books on Islam and cherished a photograph of “my dishy doctor.” She even visited Khan’s family in Lahore, Pakistan, where she embraced their culture and enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea.

Met William and Harry

This whirlwind romance took a more serious turn when Diana introduced Khan to her sons, William and Harry.

She described him as “Mr. Wonderful” and, according to her butler Burrell, she referred to Khan as her soulmate. Friends of Diana stated that he was ”the love of her life” and that she expressed distress when their relationship ended.

Yet, as love stories often go, their fairytale faced obstacles.

The mounting pressure from the media began to take a toll on their relationship. While Diana was accustomed to the limelight, for Khan, the intense scrutiny was daunting.

He feared that pursuing their relationship publicly could jeopardize his career.

They discussed possible solutions, including moving to Pakistan — a plan that nearly came to fruition. Talks of relocating to Australia or South Africa were also on the table, but nothing materialized. According to The Guardian, Diana’s desire for public acknowledgment clashed with Khan’s reluctance, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion: the romance ended in July 1997.

Khan finds out about Dodi

Just a month later, tragedy struck. In the early hours of August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris, alongside her partner Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul.

Khan was blindsided by the news of Diana’s relationship with Dodi, discovering it only after it became public. ”When I found out, I was really mad; mad as hell,” he confessed in a 2012 interview.

Khan attended her funeral at Westminster Abbey.

The shadow of her tragic death looms over him still. “Sometimes I feel like screaming,” Khan shared, reflecting on the emotional turmoil. “There have been very bad times. I have moved on, but it keeps coming back.”

Despite the heartbreak, Khan fondly remembers Diana: ”We all have our drawbacks, but I found her a very normal person with great qualities and some personal drawbacks, like bad habits.”

Hasnat Khan today

In 2006, Khan married Hadia Sher Ali, a 28-year-old woman descended from Afghan royalty, but the couple divorced two years later.

He now lives in the UK, continuing his work as a heart surgeon and engaging in humanitarian efforts in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on his life, Khan shared: ”It is very good to be home. I am quite relieved to be home. My blood pressure is stable—I go fishing, I go for walks. It feels like a sanctuary. It’s very peaceful.”

Though the romance between Princess Diana and Dr. Hasnat Khan was short-lived, it remains an interesting chapter in her life, a testament to the complexity of love in the face of royal duty and public scrutiny.

As we remember the Princess, we celebrate not just her legacy, but also the love she shared with a man who saw her for who she truly was—a normal person with extraordinary qualities.

We all get old and die eventually.

I’m not especially scared of dying, I think it’s something beautiful and natural. On the other hand, I’m terrified of getting old and not being able to look after myself.

To be completely dependent on someone else, not be able to go to the bathroom on your own or remember your childrens’ names. That’s no kind of life.

Maria was living out her final days in a care facility. And she knew that she didn’t have long left to live.

Maria had been a singing and piano teacher her whole life and missed being surrounded by music.

But she was in luck, because one of her old students worked at her care home in Austinburg, Ohio.

Joshua Woodard had been taught by her from when he was 9 years old, so they knew each other well.

Maria’s greatest wish was to hear the song ”How great thou art” before she died.

Of course, Joshua was eager to fulfill Maria’s final wish.

With the song lyrics on his phone, he sang a heartfelt rendition of Maria’s favorite song.

Even sweeter, it turns out that Joshua had known Mary since he was just 9-years-old.

“Hospice workers are angels but this hospice aide is special,” said Marti Adkins Redmond.

“Mary taught voice and piano in her day and this aide Joshua Woodard was one of her students as a kid. Special people hospice workers are!

Maria’s sister-in-law managed to capture the emotional moment on film:

Sadly Maria is no longer with us, which makes this whole clip even more moving.

Make sure you share this beautiful clip with all your friends on Facebook to honour all the staff working tirelessly to take care of our elderly loved ones.

Did you know that about 60% of our body is made up of water? That’s right – water is life! It’s the unsung hero behind many of our body’s most essential processes and it’s no wonder there’s a growing buzz around the idea of drinking water first thing in the morning.

Advocates claim it can transform your health, but how much of this is fact, and how much is simply hype?

If you’ve heard that drinking water first thing in the morning is a hydration game-changer, think again! While it’s commonly believed that swigging some H2O on an empty stomach rehydrates your body after a night’s rest, the science isn’t entirely on board.

In this article we’ll break down some of the myths floating around so you can make an informed decision on how you’ll stay hydrated.

Urine color

Many people assume they wake up dehydrated because their urine tends to be darker first thing in the morning. It’s a common belief that your body is crying out for water after hours without hydration during sleep.

But here’s the thing – it’s only partially true. While dark urine might suggest dehydration, it’s not always a reliable indicator of your overall hydration levels.

According to research, “[study participants] were not particularly well hydrated,” despite “having lighter-colored urine.”

“That’s because large intakes of water can dilute urine, causing it to be a lighter or more transparent color – even if dehydration exists.”

Starting your day with a glass of water can make you feel like you’re prioritizing hydration, but the timing of water consumption isn’t the key factor here.

Calorie control and weight loss

Drinking water before breakfast is often touted as a weight-loss trick, but how much truth is there to this?

Water can increase feelings of fullness, which might help reduce calorie intake. There’s also evidence supporting water-induced thermogenesis – where drinking water boosts your body’s metabolic rate for about 60 minutes.

However, the timing of water consumption isn’t as significant as the overall habit of drinking enough water.

Medical News Today reports that one study showed drinking water before breakfast reduced calorie intake at the next meal by about 13%. Interestingly, another study found similar results when participants drank water 30 minutes before lunch. It seems that the key takeaway here is less about timing and more about staying hydrated to support healthy eating habits!

Mind and mood

Have you ever struggled to concentrate after a long day? Water doesn’t just fuel your body – it also powers your brain.

Several studies reveal that drinking water throughout the day – not just after waking – can help maintain clarity and productivity.

In fact, a 2016 study reveals that “drinking water improved memory and focused attention” and that “in the short-term, thirst was associated with poorer memory.”

Even mild dehydration can impair focus, memory, and decision-making.

And it can also elevate your mood.

Research published in the National Library of Medicine explains that people who increased their water intake experienced better moods and reduced fatigue.

The research also revealed that individuals who typically consumed high amounts experienced lower levels of contentment, and a noticeable decline in calmness and positive emotions when they reduced their water intake.

But it has nothing to do with the time of day, science only shows that hydration is key!

Radiant skin

If you’re chasing that dewy, glowing complexion, hydration is key, but there’s no drinking schedule to determine how radiant you look.

Skin is made of about 30% water and staying hydrated through the day helps keep it plump and resilient.

Drinking helps:

• Improve elasticity.
• Reduce dryness.
• Maintain a healthy skin barrier.

But make manage your expectations, it’s not a fountain of youth.

While water is crucial for skin health, it won’t erase wrinkles or counteract sun damage. A combination of hydration, a good skincare routine, and sun protection is your best bet for long-term results.

Hydration needs

The ideal intake varies widely depending on factors like your age, gender, activity level, and overall health. While the popular “8×8” rule – eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day – provides a simple guideline, hydration needs are personal.

Also, be mindful that if you drink too much, water toxicity may occur.

From aiding digestion and weight loss to enhancing mood and brainpower, hydration is the foundation of well-being.

Please let us know if you have any tricks to staying hydrated and then share this story with your friends so we can hear from them!