It has been revealed that Lee Sansum, who was in his early 60s, and a bodyguard who protected Princess Diana as well as her sons Princes William and Harry, has died
Princess Diana’s former bodyguard who she dubbed Rambo and also protected Princes William and Harry has died, it has emerged.
Lee Sansum, a former royal military police officer, was Diana’s bodyguard, around a month before her death, during a family holiday to the French resort of Saint Tropez. His death was announced by his wife, Kate, a wellness coach and martial arts instructor., who revealed he suffered a heart attack.
Mr Sansum was also a minder for the late Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, in the final, heated days of the referendum campaign. In a message on social media, Mr Sansum’s widow Kate wrote: “Since meeting in 1998 Lee Sansum has been my soul mate, hero and most amazing man in my world. So I’m devastated to share that he is no longer with us. He had a fatal heart attack on Saturday morning at home.
“His huge presence will be missed around the world as much as it is in our household although his capacity for love, and the life skills he has shared have left a legacy that will never be lost. He’s forever loved and will always be with us I love you more than ever ’MyLovely Lee’.”
Mr Sansum was assigned to look after Mohamed Al-Fayed’s son Dodi and Diana in July 1997, a month before she died, while they holidayed on the Harrods boss’ superyacht in St Tropez. He said Diana was an “amazing woman”, adding: “She cared a great deal. She never said a bad word about anyone.”
He revealed that the princess cried on his shoulder after her close pal, fashion designer Gianni Versace, was murdered. Mr Sansum also became close to Princes William and Harry – even teaching “naughty” Harry how to drive a jet ski close to photographers so they would get soaked.
He got a touching thank you letter from Diana for his services saying the “magical ten days…would not have been possible without your invaluable contribution”. Diana nicknamed him ‘Rambo’ and Mr Sansum would later claim that the princess would still be alive if he had been on duty the night she died in a car crash in Paris.
The bodyguard served as a military police officer in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. He said: “” was looking after people in witness protection. I learnt my craft in Northern Ireland.”
After leaving the Army he started working as a civilian bodyguard and a friend recommended him to billionaire businessman Al-Fayed who was so impressed by Mr Sansum, that the bodyguard said he “became like family”.
In 2018, he revealed how he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder while guarding the royal and her two boys. He also told how he wanted to be reunited with Harry, 33, so they could raise awareness of the killer mental health problem together.
Speaking at the time, he said: “Nobody knew it but I had PTSD even when I looked after the princess and her sons. When I left the military there was no help whatsoever for people with any mental health problems. I used to tell young Harry stories about the military and things I had done. He was fascinated by it.
“To see him later in life supporting veterans was really nice. Now I want to ask him to sit down and speak to him and to raise awareness of PTSD sufferers together.”
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