Princess Diana’s former bodyguard has told how she feared for her life after the murder of her boyfriend, fashion designer Gianni Versace, on the 25th anniversary of her death.
Lee Sansom, a former Royal Military Police officer, private military contractor and close security expert, told GMB how Diana was left “in tears” after Versace was shot dead outside his Miami mansion on July 15, 1997, weeks before her own death.
Sansom was tasked with looking after Diana and her sons William and Harry during their stay at Al Fayad’s 30-bedroom villa in St Tropez this summer.
He has written a book about his experiences which will be published tomorrow.
Princess Diana’s former bodyguard told how she feared for her life after the murder of her boyfriend, fashion designer Gianni Versace (pictured together in 1985)
Lee Sansom, pictured, a former Royal Military Police officer, private military contractor and close security expert, told GMB how Diana was left “in tears” after Versace was shot dead outside his Miami mansion on July 15, 1997 d., weeks before her own death
“It was when Versace, when he was killed,” Sansom said. “At the time, everyone thought it was some kind of assassination attempt.
“She told me she was upset. She was visibly upset, crying a lot. I just ran into her on the yacht and she asked me, really seriously, “Is this what they’re going to do to me?”
“I was a bit shocked by the whole scene at the time. We were pretty close… I just assured her that we were a very professional team and that we would take care of her and her boys the best we could.
Weeks later, on August 31, 1997, Diana died in a car accident along with Dodi Al-Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul.
At the time of Diana’s death, Sansom was part of the defense team of Mohamed Al-Fayed, owner of the Hôtel Ritz Paris and former Harrods department store and Fulham FC.
In his book, he says he formed a close relationship with Diana and the young princes, especially Harry.
Lee Sansom (wearing sunglasses) with Diana when she was on holiday in St Tropez, France in 1997.
Burnley-born Lee said Diana would wake up at 7am every day and talk to him. He said she was worried about her own life after the murder of her boyfriend, fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was fatally shot outside his Miami Beach mansion in July 1997.
Lee also remembers Diana telling him she wanted to live with Dodi in America as it was the only place she thought people wouldn’t attack her.
The martial arts expert said he instantly took a liking to young William and Harry, who were as down-to-earth and friendly as their mother.
He recalls trying to teach the two to kickbox, but they were too “anxious.”
Lee grew up in a tough part of Greater Manchester and believed that to survive you had to stand up to the bullies and be tougher than your opponent.
The letter Diana sent to Lee after the trip to St. Tropez thanked him for a favor that Lee now greatly valued
He had a career in the Royal Military Police which took him to the ‘bandit country’ of South Armagh, where he rescued an AWOL squad from a copper trap moments before some of the active duty IRA arrived to kill him.
He also worked undercover in Northern Ireland and joined SIB, the army’s internal affairs branch, before entering the world of private security, operating in global hotspots such as Libya and the breakaway state of Somaliland.
Lee added: “I believe that the security personnel following Diana, possibly a British or a combined British-French team, may have either inadvertently caused the crash or may have been in close proximity to the car when it happened.”
Lee, now a regular at public events, has a letter he received from the princess 25 years ago after that summer getaway that he says he will always treasure.
The letter reads: “Dear Lee. William, Harry and I really wanted to write to thank you for looking after us so well during our stay in St Tropez. We understand that our presence, as well as that of the media, made your work extremely difficult, for which we apologize! Nevertheless, we all had a magical ten days – which would not have been possible without your invaluable contribution, and for that we all send our warmest possible thanks.
The Bodyguard (Seven Dials), by Lee Sansum, will be released on September 1, priced £9.99.
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