Her Grace

Diana, Princess of Wales, believed that “dancing makes you feel heaps better.” But I’m not sure Her Royal Highness would feel that way after reading the book her dancing instructor and friend, Anne Allan, has written about her. It’s not that Dancing with Diana has negative things to say about the princess (it doesn’t), nor is Allan anything but empathetic (she’s non-judgmental to the point of credulousness). It’s just that this is yet another work that proves if you’re a celebrity, the question isn’t whether your acquaintances will exploit your notoriety; it’s simply a matter of when. Diana never learned the lesson, strictly followed by her in‑laws, that it’s best to never complain and never explain — especially to the hired help.

Originally from Glasgow, Allan trained at the Royal Ballet School in London. In 1981, while she was ballet mistress of the London City Ballet, she was asked to be the private dance teacher for Diana. Lessons...