Princess Diana found her 'calling' following spiritual meeting with Mother Teresa

The late princess was moved after visiting Mother Teresa’s convent during a tip to Calcutta, India, it has been claimed. 

More details are emerging about the Princess’ life, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of her tragic death. 

Her former butler claims a meeting with the now-saint changed her life, and the princess sent him prayer and heartfelt note following a meeting between the two women. 

In the letter to Mr Burrell, Princess Diana spoke of a “spiritual awakening” after the meeting in 1992 as she and Prince Charles were drifting apart, a turbulent time for the Royals. 

During her infamous trip to India, she was photographed sitting alone at the Taj Mahal, one of the most enduring photos of the mother-of-two.

The princess was motivated to write the deeply heartfelt letter following a meeting with sick children that year. 

She wrote to Mr Burrell: “Today, something very profound touched my life. I went to Mother Teresa’s home and found the direction I’ve been searching for all these years.

“The sisters sang to me, a deeply spiritual experience and I soared to such heights in my spirit. 

“The light shone from within these ladies, saints for want of a better word, such love came from their eyes and their touch was full of warmth.

“I was then taken by Sister Federica to the chapel to pray with the novices and sisters.

“They sang the Lord’s Prayers and with our shoes off we prayed together on our knees.”

Mother Teresa was too ill to meet with the princess, but they finally met a few weeks later at her convent in Rome. 

That liaison is rumoured to have changed Princess Diana’s life, as she was so touched by the nun’s work. 

Mr Burrell, now 59, said meeting with Mother Teresa – who was made a saint last year – brought meaning into the royal’s life. 

Revealing the details for a Channel 5 show In Therapy, which airs on Tuesday, he said: “Diana was very, very spiritual. Her experience of praying with the sisters and seeing sick and dying children set her on a new path.

“She now had a mission and she found a deep spirituality with Mother Teresa. They were so close. 

“There’s no doubt that this was the inspiration for all of the princess’s wonderful humanitarian work.”

On a trip to Bosnia just before her death he says he thought Diana was channelling Mother Teresa. 

Mr Burrell said: “I realised that teaching had come from Mother Teresa. The parallels were astounding. 

“It was Mother Teresa’s work flowing through the Princess.”

“She said it did change her life forever. She told me the nuns were angels sent to Earth to do God’s work.

“She said she wasn’t worthy to even walk in Mother Teresa’s footsteps. Diana said she could at least try to follow her example.”

The then 87-year-old died just five days after Diana, prompting Mr Burrell to believe they were together in the afterlife. 

He said: “Maybe she waited on Mother Teresa and they went off to Heaven together. I’d like to think so.”

During their time together Mother Teresa gave the princess a set of rosary beads.

Travelling to Paris after hearing word of the crash, Mr Burrell visited Diana’s body and says he placed the beads in her hand. 

He added: “They are still there to this day. I think that’s very appropriate.”