Princess Diana's Ex-Lover James Hewitt Survives Terrifying Health Scare

Get well soon, James Hewitt!

According to the Sunday Mirror, Princess Diana’s ex-lover is said to be “getting better” following a terrifying health scare which reportedly left him with a “slim chance of survival.”

Over the weekend, the former navy officer — who had a five-year affair with the Princess of Wales — was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for emergency surgery after reportedly suffering a heart attack and stroke.

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“The family were concerned. He had a pre-existing illness, then got seriously ill. Suddenly it got very critical and he was rushed to hospital,” a friend explained. “It was pretty serious but hopefully we are all OK now. He is recovering and has been moved to Exeter.”

Princess Diana (left) and James Hewitt (right). (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Thankfully, the Daily Mirror reported that the 59-year-old is now “getting better” as he slowly recovers in the hospital, where he will remain for the next few weeks under observation.

“He’s alright, he’s had a rough night but he’s getting better from what we know,” an insider told the paper. “He was a very fit man in his youth so we’re all sure he’ll pull through.”

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James’ health scare comes just weeks after he made international headlines for addressing long-running rumors he’s Prince Harry’s father.

During a recent interview on the Australian show Sunday Night, James was questioned on the paternity claims and revealed: “No I’m not [Harry’s father].” When quizzed about why the rumor refuses to go away, the former cavalry officer explained: “It sells papers. It’s worse for [Harry], probably, poor chap.”

Diana met the handsome red-headed army man in 1986 — after Harry’s birth in 1984 — when he was hired to be her horse riding instructor. It was during this period that Prince Charles’ affair with his now wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, reportedly began.

“It’s a gradual period and then, you know, suddenly you can’t get enough of each other or see each other as much as you want,” James said. In 2002, the disgraced Brit also addressed the allegations and pointed out the fact the timeline didn’t match up.

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“There really is no possibility whatsoever that I am Harry’s father. Although I was with Diana for a long time I must state once and for all that I’m not Harry’s father. I can absolutely assure you that I am not,” he told the press at the time, adding that Harry was “already walking” by the time he was seeing Di.

This story originally appeared on NowToLove.com.