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**Princess Diana’s Secret Love Affair with Bodyguard Revealed**
Princess Diana's tumultuous life has captivated the public for decades, but it's Netflix's hit series, The Crown, that is shedding new light on her controversial past.
The show, which debuted in 2016, has meticulously chronicled Queen Elizabeth II's reign, with its latest season delving into Princess Diana's troubled marriage to Prince Charles.
In season four of The Crown, viewers witness the unraveling of Diana and Charles' relationship, as the young princess, portrayed by Emma Corrin, grapples with her husband's enduring affection for Camilla Parker Bowles.
The series hints at Diana's growing despair, fueled by rumors of her alleged extramarital affairs, which she struggled to conceal from the royal family.
A particularly revealing moment in The Crown occurs when Princess Anne jests with the Queen about Diana's rumored liaisons, including one with her bodyguard.
The conversation sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Diana's life, indicating that her bond with her bodyguard may have been more significant than previously thought.
Despite The Crown's fictionalized portrayal, private voice recordings of Princess Diana suggest that her relationship with her bodyguard was indeed profound.
In these tapes, recorded in 1992 and released posthumously, Diana confesses her deep love for the man, hinting at a desire to abandon her royal duties and elope with him.
The identity of Diana's mystery lover is believed to be Barry Manikee, a former police officer assigned to protect her during a turbulent period in her marriage to Prince Charles.
Manikee's role extended beyond mere security, as he reportedly provided emotional support to the vulnerable princess, leading to speculation about the true nature of their relationship.
Royal expert Tina Brown recounts a poignant moment between Diana and Manikee following an accident at Balmoral Castle, where the bodyguard's comforting presence stood out amidst marital discord.
Their closeness raised eyebrows within royal circles, eventually resulting in Manikee's dismissal after a compromising incident in 1986.
While some maintain that Manikee was simply a friend to Diana, others, including cavalry officer James Hewitt, suggest a more intimate connection between the pair.
As rumors swirled and palace insiders grew wary of Diana's growing closeness to her bodyguard, Manikee was reassigned to a different security unit.
Tragically, just nine months after parting ways with Princess Diana, Barry Manikee met a fatal end in a motorcycle accident.
Diana, who suspected foul play in his demise, mourned the loss of her confidant, fueling conspiracy theories about his untimely death.
Despite lingering suspicions surrounding Manikee's tragic fate, official investigations have upheld the verdict of a fatal accident.
The enduring mystery of Princess Diana's relationship with her devoted bodyguard continues to intrigue and perplex, adding another layer to the enigmatic legacy of the People's Princess.