Nearly three decades after her passing, Princess Diana remains one of the most studied and beloved figures in modern history. But beyond the iconic photos and royal headlines was a woman navigating life with vulnerability, strength, and often unseen struggles. Few people saw that side of her quite like her personal trainer, Jenni Rivett.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Privacy
South African fitness expert Jenni Rivett worked closely with the late Princess of Wales for seven years, developing not just a fitness routine but a deep personal bond. In a recent interview, Rivett shared insights that reveal a more intimate portrait of Diana than the public ever knew.
“She was fun, incredibly witty,” Rivett recalled. “But there was always a sadness just beneath the surface. It was clear she didn’t want the royal spotlight—she simply wanted to be a great mum and a loving wife.”
What made their bond especially rare was the trust Diana placed in Rivett. They spent hours together every week, working out and talking openly—sometimes about deeply personal matters.
“There were times Diana confided things so private I had to stop her,” Rivett said. “‘Please don’t tell me more,’ I’d say, ‘If it leaks, you’ll blame me.’”
That level of honesty defined their friendship, and Rivett believes Diana valued her quiet discretion.
The Workout Routine That Became a Sanctuary
Behind the scenes, Diana was incredibly committed to her fitness, especially during the chaotic years of royal duties and tabloid pressures. Rivett remembers how serious she was about technique, especially in her favorite step aerobics classes.
“Diana didn’t just go through the motions,” Rivett said. “If someone in class was doing it wrong, she’d gently correct them. She loved getting it right.”
But even the gym wasn’t always private. Paparazzi often waited outside to capture photos of the Princess. To outsmart them, Diana wore the same navy sweatshirt to every workout so photographers had nothing new to sell.
That sweatshirt was later gifted to Rivett by Diana’s family, and when auctioned in 2019, it sold for £40,000, which Rivett donated to a charity she felt Diana would have supported.
Diana’s Final Days — A Scheduled Session That Never Happened
According to Rivett, Diana had personal training sessions planned for September 1997, shortly after returning from a holiday in St Tropez with Dodi Al-Fayed. She never made it back. The tragic car crash in Paris on August 31 cut her life short, leaving many shattered.
“She was looking forward to that trip, but also emotionally exhausted,” Rivett said. “There were layers to her—joy, humor, but also pain.”
Looking Back With Respect
Jenni Rivett’s reflections remind us that even those in the public eye carry unseen burdens. Her quiet loyalty to Diana, during her life and after her death, helps preserve a legacy of compassion, resilience, and humanity.
And if there’s one thing she’s sure of? Diana would be heartbroken over the current divide between her sons, William and Harry.
“She loved them more than anything,” Rivett said. “It would devastate her to see them at odds.”
