Princess Diana's former dance teacher says the late royal found “freedom” in secret sessions

Princess Diana's former dance teacher tells how the late Princess Diana found freedom and confidence on the dance floor.

In her new book, Dancing With Diana: A Memoir, Anne Allan, a longtime professional dancer and choreographer, reveals about her secret one-on-one dance sessions with the late Princess Diana. The author claims that through movement and dance, Princess Diana was able to free herself from the constraints and expectations of both the monarchy and the press.

“[Diana's] head kept looking at the floor. According to a recent report in The Spectator, “I gently pointed out that the head is the heaviest part of the body,” Alan wrote. I wanted her to feel the freedom that dancing gives.”

In the book, Allan recounts his close relationship with Princess Diana, writing that the dance teacher became something of a confidant of the late Princess Diana, especially when she was struggling with her relationship with her husband, then Prince Charles.

“When it comes to my husband, I just can't get along. I love my husband very much and I want him to be proud of me, but I don't think he feels the same way,” Alan said Princess Diana told him during a private dance lesson, according to an excerpt from the book released exclusively by People.

According to the book, Alan and Princess Diana met when the late Princess Diana was a 20-year-old newlywed; during the nine years that the two met for secret one-hour dance sessions, she allegedly opened up to her dance instructor about her tumultuous marriage.

“I don't understand why I'm not enough for him,” Diana wondered out loud during one dance instruction. I think he likes older women.”

“I know he's dating Camilla again,” Alan adds, citing another exchange with Princess Diana.

“Am I supposed to accept, like other crown princesses before me, that my husband turns a blind eye to the fact that he has a mistress? Why doesn't he love me? I have done everything in my power to accommodate his wishes, even if I do not always agree with them. There is no love between us, and I am always alone."

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In another excerpt shared with The Spectator, Alan recounts an incident in which Princess Diana allegedly tried to stand out in a dance performance on her then husband Prince Charles' 37th birthday.

“When she went to Prince Charles and stood before him, I sensed that she desperately wanted his approval,” Alan wrote. He said, 'Well done, darling,' and turned to address the others.”

In addition to highlighting their intimate relationship, the memoir details how “Princess Diana was not in control of her own life,” and the Spectator compared the late Princess Wale's life to “a fly in the web.”

Alan asserts that it was through dancing that Princess Diana was able to find freedom.