Lot 159 , DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES (1961–1997): Royal Honeymoon letter and personal archive from the collection of childhood friend Miss Katherine Hanbury, comprising a birthday card, photographs and a Thanksgiving Service order o

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES (1961–1997): Royal Honeymoon letter and personal archive from the collection of childhood friend Miss Katherine Hanbury, comprising a birthday card, photographs and a Thanksgiving Service order of service. - ‘The Honeymoon letter’ - A three-page letter written by Diana, Princess of Wales, during the Royal honeymoon at Balmoral, dated 27th September 1981. Addressed to “Dear Katherine,” the letter runs to three pages on embossed Royal notepaper bearing the Royal crest in red at the head of each sheet. The letter was sent by registered post (registration number R 286739), indicating that Diana took deliberate care in ensuring its safe delivery. The original envelope survives, bearing two Perth postmarks dated 29 SEP 81 and the Royal cypher (EIIR) stamp.

The transcript of the letter reads:
"Dear Katherine,
I can't tell you what a lovely surprise I got on opening your card.
Thank you so much for putting pen to paper & wishing me well.
We had a blissful honeymoon with endless sun and luckily calm seas, as I would have been the first to have bought up a meal!
We are now in Scotland until the end of October, which is a big treat for us - I adore being outside all day & hate London!
It's wonderful being married - I think it's safe to say that after two months...! (Emjoji face)
MaryAnn followed last w/e! Its a case of playing grown ups!
I do hope that life is treating you kindly & that you're happy.
A million heartfelt thanks for your lovely thought.
Much love from an extremely grateful,
Diana."

Remaining contents:
A handwritten birthday card signed by Diana:
"Dear Katherine,
A Very Happy Birthday,
Lots of Love,
Diana (S)
x"

- An order of service for the thanksgiving service for Diana held at St Martin-In-The-Fields on 19th November 1997. This is not the widely circulated programme from the state funeral at Westminster Abbey, but rather the rarely seen programme from a separate, more intimate thanksgiving service held some weeks later.

- Four colour photographs, taken circa 1977 during Diana's time at West Heath Girls' School. One depicts a group of pupils relaxing outside a school building, with Diana identifiable in a light blue sundress. The photographer, Diana's school friend Katherine, has identified other pupils in the image as including Tilda Swinton (later the actress), third from the left, MaryAnn in yellow (and mentioned in the honeymoon letter), and Joanna Hogg (later the film director), seated on a beanbag in pink espadrilles. A further photograph shows Diana with the school's sports field in the background, while the remaining two depict her in her dormitory. These candid and seldom-seen photographs offer a rare glimpse into Diana's schooldays and early friendships.

Provenance: The Private Collection of Miss Katherine Hanbury, childhood friend of Lady Diana Spencer, later Diana, Princess of Wales.
£4,000-6,000

Sold for £4,000