Diana’s hand-written letters to be sold at auction

A HAND-WRITTEN letter revealing Diana, Princess of Wales’s joy at “slipping” in and out of Sandringham the Christmas before she married the Prince of Wales is to go under the hammer, an auctioneer has announced.

The letter, said to be written by Diana to her stepmother Raine, also refers to how much she was looking forward to a trip to Australia, in February 1981, as well as a mention of a woman she refers to only as “she”.

They are being sold as part of an antiques and collectables sale in Northamptonshire.

Two letters are being sold by J P Humbert Auctioneers on behalf of a private seller who used to work for the Spencer family. In one of them, written on 18 January, 1981, Diana wrote: “Dearest Raine, what a touching letter you wrote to me.

“It contained far too much praise which I’m sure I’m not due for. As you saw, I went to Sandringham and I arrived and left without being seen. I can’t help but be pleased.”

She added: “Thinking back to ‘she’(!) of our conversations I think it’s so right for me to go to Australia and not long, 2 1/2 weeks will do both of us good.

“Anyway, a million thanks for all your support and advice. I only hope that in the end we will all be able to smile. Lucky Daddy having you, much love from Diana.”