English/Nat Professor Magdi Yacoub, one of Britain's leading heart surgeons and a close friend of Diana's spoke for the first time on television today (Friday) about his relationship with the Princess. Speaking exclusively to APTV, he said she had no regrets about controversially allowing cameras to film her watching him perform heart surgery in April last year. At the time she was widely condemned in the media for publicity seeking. Professor Magdi Yacoub, who became close to Diana through the charity, Chain of Hope, said she would visit the hospital frequently without alerting any media to her presence. He has performed over one thousand heart transplants - but says she was the true Queen of Hearts. SOUNDBITE: English I think she was the Queen of Hearts because of that ability to get through to people, to care so much and to get to the heart of the matter and to get to the heart of people. She identified with some of our patients and she used to come to these children - some of them were adults - and see them regularly - five times a week sometimes - paint their nails and their toenails - make them feel important and happy. She was the Queen of Hearts. SUPER CAPTION: Professor Magdi Yacoub, Heart surgeon Professor Yacoub was knighted five years ago for his work saving people's lives. But it was Diana's decision to go public with a visit to his hospital to watch him operating that put him - reluctantly - into the public spotlight. It created a storm of controversy with many claiming she was manipulating the media for her own ends. SOUNDBITE: There was no regret. There was a defiant spirit in her. She was vulnerable yes, she would get hurt very, very deeply obviously. But there wasn't oh I wish I didn't do that. No - I'm going to do it again. This is what I believe in - this is what I want to do and I'm going to do it again. SUPER CAPTION: Professor Magdi Yacoub, Heart surgeon Her death has deeply distressed Professor Yacoub. But he continues to work despite this because he feels Diana would want him to. SOUNDBITE: It has influenced me profoundly. I felt that I cannot continue my work in the way that I always had. But I do remember when she was upset or we'd talk about something upsetting God I'd say jokingly this will affect my work and she said oh no this is a power - go and do your magic - this is a duty - go and do your magic. Those were her words - this is your duty and nothing should interfere with that. So - I do remember her words. And I'll do what she wanted me to do. SUPER CAPTION: Professor Magdi Yacoub, Heart surgeon She talked to Professor Yacoub about the press and the way they preyed on her. But she also said she could use them to support good causes. SOUNDBITE: She did realise that this was a massive power that she wanted to use to a good cause. She was very, very hurt when things were portrayed in the wrong manner. She did say that. But still again that didn't deter her from saying that this is a power that can be made to work for charities, for alleviating human suffering and I'm going to do it - even if I suffer myself. SUPER CAPTION: Professor Magdi Yacoub, Heart surgeon The newspapers were full of speculation about Hasnat Khan before Dodi rose to public prominence. Some claimed Khan had a six month relationship with Diana and ended it because he couldn't stand the constant media attention. Professor Yacoub is his boss and they've spoken since the death of Diana. SOUNDBITE: He is devastated and he is one of our very good researchers. He denies all these goings on. SUPER CAPTION: Professor Magdi Yacoub, Heart surgeon A book for condolence messages has been opened at Harefield Hospital. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e9603e14315d0457fb4cb4c0230dec50 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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