Princess Diana’s bodyguard Lee Sansum who protected William and Harry dies aged 63 after ‘heart attack’
Lee Sansum – the former bodyguard of Princess Diana, as well as Prince William and Prince Harry – has died aged 63, his family have confirmed.
His death was announced by his wife Kate in a Facebook post on Sunday (May 18). His grieving widow told friends Lee, who also served as a royal military police officer, died from a heart attack on Saturday (May 17) morning.
Lee was one of Princess Diana‘s bodyguards shortly before her death in August 1997. He escorted her during a family holiday to Saint Tropez in France just a month earlier.
Princess Diana bodyguard Lee Sansum dies from heart attack
Paying an emotional tribute, Kate shared a series of photos of them together across the years.
Kate reportedly wrote: “Since meeting in 1998, Lee Sansum has been my soulmate, 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.
She added: “He’s forever loved and will always be with us. I love you more than ever ‘My Lovely Lee’.”
Father-of-six Lee – nicknamed “Rambo” by Princess Diana – was also a bodyguard in 2014 for the late Alex Salmond, when he was First Minister of Scotland.
He is also believed to have provided security for the likes of Hollywood A-listers Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nicole Kidman, and Tom Cruise.
Lee Sansum as bodyguard for William and Harry
Lee, who held black belts in karate, jujitsu and kick-boxing, was a member of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s protection team at the time Princess Diana died in the same accident that claimed then-partner Dodi Al-Fayed’s life.
When Princess Diana and her sons stayed in Al-Fayed’s Saint Tropez villa in the summer of 1997, Lee was assigned.
And in his 2022 book titled The Bodyguard, Lancashire-born Lee revealed fascinating details about his interactions with the royals.
They included trying to teach the princes kickboxing, as well as showing Prince Harry how to drive a jet ski. It is said Lee even assisted Prince Harry in soaking nearby photographers.
Lee also previously shared a sweet thank you letter from Princess Diana. She expressed her gratitude for a “magical ten days [which] would not have been possible without your invaluable contribution”.
Additionally, Lee also claimed Princess Diana cried on his shoulder following the shooting of fashion designer Gianni Versace in July 1997.
And in 2022, Lee claimed he could have been in the car Princess Diana travelled in when she died in a horrific crash in Paris.
“It could have been me in that car,” Lee revealed. “We drew straws to see who would be accompanying Trevor [Rees-Jones] that weekend.
“When I learned they were not wearing seatbelts in the crash I understood why they didn’t survive. I always insisted on it.”
RIP Lee Sansum.
