Barry Mannakee

Who was Barry Mannakee?

Barry Albert Mannakee was a police officer with the Royal Protection Squad and was assigned as a bodyguard to Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985. He died in a road traffic accident in 1987.

According to the book Diana: The Last Word by Simone Simmons, published 29 June 2005, Mannakee soon became Diana's closest confidant in the royal circle. Diana would often turn to him for comfort if she was feeling lonely or depressed and Barry was always there for her.

Simmons also claims that Colin Trimming, the Prince of Wales' personal protection officer, once walked in on Mannakee comforting Diana. He assumed they were having an affair, and he reported his suspicions to the Prince.

Diana thought of Mannakee as one of her best friends. When people thought they were too close, he was moved in 1986 from his royal duties at Kensington Palace to the Diplomatic Protection Group in central London. In Diana's words, he was "chucked out". Talking of Mannakee's death, Diana said: "I think he was bumped off, but there we are."

Mannakee married Susan Bennett in London in 1966. They had two children.