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'NOBODY KNEW'

Princess Diana bodyguard reveals he suffered PTSD blackouts while guarding Royal Family as he asks Prince Harry for help

A FORMER bodyguard of Princess Diana has revealed he was plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder while guarding her and Princes William and Harry.

Ex-miliary policeman Lee Sansum — who also helped protect Mohamed Al Fayed —  suffered flashbacks from when he served in Northern Ireland.

Lee Sansum has opened up about his struggle with PTSD
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Lee Sansum has opened up about his struggle with PTSDCredit: Rex Features

According to the , Mr Sansum, 33, wants to meet up with Harry, a former serviceman himself, so they can campaign for better awareness and understanding of the condition.

The ex-Royal Military Police officer said: “Now I want to ask him to sit down and speak to him and to raise ­awareness of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) sufferers together.

“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.

Prince Harry helped launched mental health campaign Heads Together with brother Prince William and Kate Middleton
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Noble cause... Prince Harry helped launch mental health campaign Heads Together with brother Prince William and Kate Middleton
Guarded... Princess of Wales relaxes on a beach with her sons William and Harry during her holiday in Saint Tropez,in July 1997
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Princess of Wales relaxes on a beach with her sons William and Harry during her holiday in Saint Tropez,in July 1997Credit: Reuters

"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."

Prince Harry, 33, has in the past spoken of the trauma of his mum’s sudden death in a bid to break stigma about mental health as part of the Heads Together campaign. 

Mr Sansum is now calling for an overhaul on treating veterans with PTSD as the suicide rate of among them soars.

And he has called for the founding of a Veteran’s Commission in England just like the one in Scotland.

At least 23 ex-servicemen have died in suspected suicides last year.

Veteran who considered suicide praises PTSD charity Combat Stress for saving his life


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