Queen’s doctor feared Diana was suffering a ‘dangerous’ medical condition that could be passed on to her kids
The Mail on Sunday obtained a letter which shows Sir John Batten, who treated Diana at the start of her marriage to Prince Charles, thought she had a 'dangerous' genetic condition
THE Queen's former physician feared Princess Diana was suffering from a medical condition which could be passed on to her children - dubbed a "dynastic disaster".
obtained a letter which shows Sir John Batten, who treated Diana at the start of her marriage to Prince Charles, thought she had a "dangerous" genetic condition.
Other doctors in the royal household are thought to have believed something similar, revealed in an astonishing letter written by psychotherapist Dr Alan McGlashan.
The prominent man in his field wrote the letter in February 1983 when he was asked to treat Diana after she moved away from the Royal medics.
Dr McGlashan wrote Sir John and his team were "plainly scared" by Diana's symptoms and "dosed her with anti-depressants".
He added: "She is a very unhappy girl facing situations on various fronts which she finds difficult to deal with, though making a courageous effort to do so."
He notes none of the men were able to help relieve her and her problems continued - including a recurring dream about giant sea monsters.
The princess had been suffering with a catalogue of illnesses, it has been reported, including bulimia, depression and low self-esteem.
Prince William, the pair's eldest child, was only a few months old as 21-year-old Diana became unwell, but continued to appear in public as she forced herself to continue appearances.
Dr McGlashan notes Sir John's team was made up of Michael Pare, head of psychiatry at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, Micahel Linnett, apothecary to the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales and a behaviourist, referred to as "Mitchell".
He writes Dr Pare took an "unnecessarily gloomy and alarmist view of the 'case'."
After Diana and Dr McGlashan met eight times, he concluded: "She is a normal girl whose troubles were emotional, not pathological."
He added: "It was a difficult and delicate situation for me, coming into such an overloaded medical scene, but this was greatly simplified by D herself, who has gently but firmly distanced herself from them all."
Prince Charles is then said to have become a client of Dr McGlashan for 14 years.
Today, Prince William and Prince Harry continue Diana's efforts to speak out about mental health issues and lessen the stigma.
William discussed the importance of speaking openly about eating disorders and other issues of mental health in last months Channel 4 documentary Wasting Away: The Truth About Anorexia.
He spoke with former ITN anchorman Mark Austin, whose daughter Maddy has conquered anorexia.
Responding to a question asking if he is proud of his mother for talking about her battles, William said: "Absolutely. These are illnesses. Mental health needs to be taken as seriously as physical health."
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