Diana: The Last Word

by Simone Simmons

During the last five years of her life, Princess Diana had one friend and confidante who was special to her. She was not part of Diana's social circle; she was not a family friend. That woman was Simone Simmons, a healer, who devoted herself to the troubled Princess.

Simone formed a unique bond with Diana. They met almost everyday and spent hours on the telephone. Diana opened her heart and mind to Simone, who always told the Princess the unvarnished truth. No subject was taboo, and the two women discussed everything and anything, sharing laughter and tears over cups of chamomile tea. Since Diana appreciated and trusted her friend's candor, Simone got to know the Princess in a way no one else has ever done. With Simone, Diana felt confident enough to express her true self.

In 1997, Diana told her friend she wanted her to write a book which revealed the truth about her, to "tell it like it is." This is that book. It is truly the last word.

With her extraordinary insight into Diana's life, Simone captures the soul of the Princess and creates an intimate and rich portrait of one of the great icons of the 20th Century. In these pages, Simone describes how it really was: who among the royals was good to Diana and who was hateful; her need to be in love and to have an affair; her only fling--with John F. Kennedy, Jr.--at the Carlisle hotel; her real relationship with Paul Burrell; why she inflicted self-harm; how she wanted to move to New York or Los Angeles; how Mother Teresa hurt her; why her relationship with Dodi never would have ended in marriage; and her enduring love for Prince Charles.

Though Diana was extremely insecure, with Simone's help and work she became strong and learned that she could heal others around her. DIANA--THE LAST WORD is the fascinating story of how she reached that point. It finally settles the unanswered questions of Diana's life and addresses the many revelations that have materialized since her death.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Royalty, History, Biography Memoir, British Literature

352 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mlg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another tell all, this time written by Diana's "healer". For a friend, she dishes some pretty nasty stuff on the Princess, who, according to her, fell out with almost everyone in her life. There are some new revelations at the end, such as the fact that Diana was trying to help Dodi kick his cocaine addiction, but some of the book seemed a bit too revealing for a friend to write.

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could rate this book less I would. Not only does this novel center around the self-obsessed author, it also fails to mention that Simone Simmons (the so called author) is a notorious liar who published false narratives both while Diana was alive and after she had died (Google it). This is an obvious money grab, which makes me glad that I thrifted the book and didn’t give any money to this disgusting person. For anyone looking to read this- just don’t. The writing is crappy and the narrator is a scammer, even Diana cut all ties with her while she was alive. If you want to read about the late Princess, go elsewhere and check out the book reviews beforehand. This author honestly disgusts me to a whole other level, you can tell from the writing alone that she disliked Diana and it makes it all the more gross that she published this trash.

[Rachel Swords · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy, yet another "tell-all" book about the late Diana, Princess of Wales, from one of her numerous friends/associates. This time, it's her former healer, Simone Simmons. Unlike previous books about Diana, however, this book is refreshingly candid and holds very little back. Diana is not painted as a perfect saint, as some have done, but at the same time, she is not portrayed as an unstable wreck, either. Rather, Ms. Simmons's portrait of Diana is that of a woman who both succeeded and failed in her attempts to love and be loved, by the world at large and on a personal level as well. She shares incidents that had not been previously revealed, such as Diana's liason with JFK Jr, her real opinion on some of her famous dresses, and how badly Diana wanted to be involved in British politics on an ambassadorial level. Ms. Simmons also pulls no punches when discussing Dodi Fayed, Prince Charles, and James Hewitt, all of whom come across as something less than men. Normally I don't like this sort of book, as it reeks of a cheap cash-in on Diana's memory and a betrayal of her trust, but for what it was, "Diana The Last Word" was decent.

[Ilze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it the 'last word' on Diana's life?

It couldn't possibly be!

But, since I decided that I wasn't going to support the industry that potentially caused the car accident in which Diana died, this was the only book I'd read about her life/times. At first, it was a definite no-no. Then the bookshop put it on a sale, and since there was clearly no-one who wanted it, it's landed up in my bookshelf!

What clearly comes to the fore is that Diana (for all her weaknesses) was someone with a heart for people. She cared in her own way and did what she thought best to do in the circumstances. The fact that she was very uncertain of herself and depended on the people around her (especially friends) to help her through, is merely a sign of her humaneness. Just because she's a "princess" (actually, "lady", the former title was removed following her divorce) doesn't make her "perfect" (whatever that is).

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - seemed quite an honest account of the author's friendship with the Princess.

Back Cover Blurb:
During the last five years of her life, Diana and healer Simone Simmons formed a unique bond. Diana opened up her heart - and her mind - to Simone, whom she trusted completely, and Simone helped to shape the remainder of the Princess's tragically short life. In 1997, she said to Simone: 'If anything happens to me, write a book and tell it like it is.'
This is the result. Finally, the record can be set straight on the many unanswered questions about every aspect of Diana's life, including her lovers, her fascination with religion and the afterlife, her relationship with her children, her in-laws and of course, Prince Charles. This book truly is the last word.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I expected a rehash of tabloid reports by someone who knew Diana in a casual or professional capacity. Simone Simmons did meet Diana through work, but the relationship developed into one of friendship. I liked how Simmons did not gloss over the negative aspects of Diana's personality. I was hesitant to read this, but when I saw it cited as a source for a book by professional journalist Martyn Gregory, I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did.

[Krystal]

I'm sure Princess Diana did some good things, but man! Was she a crazy, emotionally stunted, insecure, selfish trainwreck! At least that's how she's portrayed in this book by her best friend. With friends like that, who needs enemies? Makes me wonder what my friends would write about me if I died tragically?!?

[Emily Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was pretty terrible. It starts out reading much like a tabloid. She makes assertions very unconvincingly and the recalled conversations with Princess Diana are very stilted, awkward, and unrealistic. I get the sense that the author, and purported good friend of Diana, wrote a book about her to make a quick buck. I do not recommend this book.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was a ok read, but I'm not sold on this book. I don't believe that Diana and Simmons were that close. Simmons leads you to believe that she knew how Diana felt and thought about everything. I'm not buying it.

[aquxphoric · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly interesting book into Diana's life, highlighting the struggles and positive moments in her life in lots of depth - at some points I would argue too much depth. Which is why I'd take this book with a pinch of salt, Simmons pays alot of attention to her "close" bond with Diana (and lots of personal stories which at some points make it seem more like Simmon's own life story than Diana's?) yet has no hesitance to bringing her image down through disclosing Diana's supposed attitude with her friends and family. Not to mention the man-obsessed images and situations Simmons writes about. I feel this is not how Diana would have liked her life to be highlighted. Nevertheless there are some great points on Diana's charity work and her love for William and Harry which were heart-warming to read. Overall though, I feel it exposed Diana too much, I question the legitimacy of all these stories Simmons recalls.

[Foster Grant]

Simone Simmons overheard the phone call. The one where a man the Princess said was Sir Nicholas Soames told her to lay off landmines: accidents can happen, he said. Soames, who was Armed Forces Minister at the time and best mates with Prince Charles, has always denied making the call.

However he was censured by John Major for saying that Diana only alleged Charles was cheating because of her "mental illness" and that she was "in the advanced stages of paranoia" after the infamous Panorama interview. He later apologised to the Prime minister, but not to Diana.
Only recently has he admitted "I should never have said it."

[Jade Walas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book written by one of several of Diana’s confidantes throughout her life is in my opinion, a great recap of the significant events in her life, both large scale with her charities and humanitarian work around the world to highly personal matters from love affairs, the bedroom, insecurities and petty and catty squabbles with various women. It is realistic as it really portrays Diana as human above all else who had her positive traits and negative traits just like you and me. But above all else, she will always be remembered for her purely kind and charitable soul, and the way that she could light up a room and make people smile, which ultimately is the fondest memory she left behind.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I find the story of Simone & Diana's friendship to be interesting, I do not find the medical side of things to be interesting. It would be one thing if the book was written by a doctor or a psychologist or someone who has degrees in anything medical & could discuss what was going on with Princess Diana physically and/or mentally & could explain how that effected her life. But this person is a "healer," which at the very best is at the fringes of the medical fields.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so many questions come to mind. This poor girl only wanted to live her life, take care of her children, and help the world. Such a sad ending for a beautiful soul. Fitting that I finished reading it while on vacation in London.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really insightful book, written by one of Diana's close friends. I believe it has more information about the true Diana than most of the books I have read about her. I really enjoyed it.

[Athina Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definition of a PAGE TURNER!! The Princess of Wales is beyond beauty and looks — she also has a big heart.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A view of Diana from a close confidante and spiritual healer. I remember Diana using some of these Eastern medicine/magic things. Sitting under a pyramid was one especially silly to me.

[Rona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet, another Princess Diana book that I picked up and decided to read.
However, most of the stuff in this, I had already heard many times before, so there was nothing new.
I felt that one or two things in this book were either made up or exaggerated, and there were
parts within the memoir that left a bad taste in my mouth.

It was a struggle for me to finish this book, because I was getting rather bored with it.
Not recommended, I think Andrew Morton's book is so much better!

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have not read this book completely - I started it and had to put it down. I am a Diana fan and after reading the first couple of pages was not a fan of the author. She was Dianas herbalist or colon cleanser or something of that nature. She just stsarts off by emplying the princess was slutty and had numerous affairs, one with JFK Jr. Maybe she did, but at the time I started reading it I just didn't want to hear these things about her and I thought she came across as not being very tasteful with her approach. Tina Brown wrote about Diana and did not always paint a pretty picture of her but she managed to write it with some class. I will probably pick this book up again someday but I was immediately turned off by the author.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, you really get to know who Princess Diana was. She's not perfect--she's had her fair share of challenges in her life. I loved how this book is unapologetic, graphic and holds nothing back. It's told with so much honesty, not with that sugarcoated crap.
If you'd like to get to know the REAL Diana behind closed doors and rising controversies, this is the book.

[Jamie]

So far I'm not liking this book too much. In the first pages I find out that D. had an affair with John Kennedy jr. I'm not so sure she would be too thrilled with that.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the author did her very best to set the record straight for Diana. It was a very interesting read on the girl who became a princess.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by one of Diana's good friends. I don't know if Diana was a dummy or brilliant. I felt like this book was true.

[Michelle Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a few chapters at a time book rather than an easy read.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

No new revelations except thus is the first I read about het having a fling with JFK Jr and I have read alot of books on JFK Jr and don't recall her being mentioned about being involved with him