# Royals and Bodyguards: Love That Wasn't Safe > Princesses and princes have secretly loved their bodyguards for decades, risking scandal and even death. - Title: Royals and Bodyguards: Love That Wasn't Safe · Vanity Fair - Summary: Princesses and princes have secretly loved their bodyguards for decades, risking scandal and even death. Royal bodyguards and their charges have had affairs… - Keywords: princess anne, princess diana, prince charles, royal bodyguards, princess stephanie monaco, princess haya, sheikh mohammed, jordan royal family, united arab emirates, bodyguard affair, royal scandal, cannes film festival - Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/royals-who-had-affairs-with-their-bodyguards - Author: Hadley Hall Meares - Published: 2026-09-23T18:26:49.989+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: princess anne, princess diana, prince charles, royal bodyguards, princess stephanie monaco, princess haya, sheikh mohammed, jordan royal family, united arab emirates, bodyguard affair, royal scandal, cannes film festival ## Royal Bodyguards: More Than Protection Royal bodyguards often spend more time with their charges than their families, becoming emotional guardians and playmates. > You find you live their life one step ahead of them ## Catherine the Great's Love Affair In the 18th century, Russia’s Catherine the Great chose lovers from her personal guard, turning soldiers into wealthy studs. > For a woman in a golden cage, bodyguards are an obvious candidate for romantic fixation ## Princess Anne and Peter Cross Princess Anne and her bodyguard Peter Cross began an affair in 1979, meeting secretly in a cottage and Buckingham Palace. > We got on fantastically, basically because we're both straight-talking people who like to be down to earth ## Princess Anne's Affair Ends Cross resigned in 1980 after Princess Anne discovered his affair, but they continued secretly until 1983. > By the time Anne found out, Cross had already packed his bags and left his quarters ## Princess Diana and Barry Mannakee Princess Diana and her bodyguard Barry Mannakee began an affair in 1985, meeting secretly in her private apartments. > I was like a little girl in front of him the whole time, desperate for praise, desperate ## Diana's Affair Ends in Tragedy Mannakee was caught in a compromising position before Diana's wedding, resigned his post, and died in a motorcycle accident in 1987. > I should never have played with fire, and I did ## Princess Stephanie of Monaco Princess Stephanie of Monaco began an affair with her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet in 1991, having two children with him. > We were in love, and the story wasn't supposed to end like that ## Stephanie's Marriage Ends Ducruet and Stephanie married in 1995 but divorced in 1996 after he was photographed with an exotic dancer. > When I got back, I told Stéphanie everything that very evening ## Princess Haya's Affair Princess Haya of Jordan had a two-year affair with her British bodyguard Russell Flowers before fleeing to London in 2019. > I was scared, and that was the money available in that account ## Haya's Divorce Settlement Haya won a £554 million divorce settlement from her abusive husband in 2021, but remains under threat from him. > There is a clear and ever-present risk to these children that is almost certain to persist until they obtain their independence ## The Royal Bodyguard Dilemma Royal bodyguards often become emotionally close to their charges, risking affairs and scandal. > You often spot things that could wreck their lives if they take a particular direction ## Why Do Royals Fall for Bodyguards? Bodyguards provide a safe space for royal women to express vulnerability, leading to emotional intimacy. > His strong shoulders clear the path ahead in the crowd ## The Cost of Royal Affairs Affairs with bodyguards often end in divorce, death, or long-term trauma for the royal family. > That was the biggest blow of my life ## The Long History of Royal Scandals From Catherine the Great to modern princesses, royal bodyguards have been the subject of affairs for centuries. > It's inevitable that such unspoken need will sometimes lead to an erotic charge ## The Risk of Royal Love Royal bodyguards and their charges have had affairs for generations, often ending in tragedy. > I wasn't able to do anything ## Why Bodyguards Are Special Bodyguards are the only men royal women meet who understand their needs and provide emotional support. > He was a typical victim of red-carpet fever ## Key takeaway Royal bodyguards and their charges have had affairs for generations, often ending in tragedy.