Handwritten letters by Diana sell for over £15,000

Six handwritten letters from the desk of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, sold at auction for £15,100 – thousands more than estimated.

The letters were written to Cyril Dickman, a former Buckingham Palace steward who worked there for over 50 years.

In one letter dated 20 September 1984, Diana talks about how her eldest son, Prince William, quickly took to his new brother, Prince Harry.

“William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near!”

“The reaction to one tiny person’s birth has totally overwhelmed us, and I can hardly breathe for the mass of flowers that are arriving here!”

The letter was estimated to bring in between £400-600 but sold for £3,200.

Another letter, dated 17 October 1992, discusses how Princes William and Harry are getting on at school.

“[They] are well and enjoying boarding school a lot, although Harry is constantly in trouble!”

The letter sold for double its estimate – £2,400.

Cheffins Auctioneers handled Dickman’s estate and noted that inquiries were coming from international bidders as far away as Japan and Canada.

In an interview with the BBC, John Foster of Cheffins Auctioneers said, “One of the nice things about this collection is that it reveals the personal side. It’s not just thanking someone for an event; it’s things like the handwriting and the squiggly drawings.”

Dickman retired in 1992 and received a letter from Diana.

“Cyril, you will be greatly missed by this particular Lady – thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind to me throughout the years and take great care of yourself, fondest love from Diana x.”

Other lots from Dickman’s estate included more than a dozen Christmas cards sold for £2,200. Letters, cards and photos from Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, and Queen Elizabeth II were also sold at auction. An unopened box containing a piece of wedding cake from the 1947 wedding between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip was also sold for £550.

A letter from The Queen, after the death of the Queen Mother, thanks him for his sympathy and thoughts.

“I much appreciated your thoughts and sympathy on the death of my mother. We must all be thankful in the encouragement and pleasure she gave to so many during her long life. Elizabeth R.”