Previously unseen letters from Diana, Princess of Wales are set to hit the auction block over the weekend.
The late royal corresponded with Violet Collinson—known to her as ‘Collie’ throughout her time as a member of the Royal Family. Collie had been a housekeeper at the Park House estate in Sandringham, where Diana grew up.
The auction house Sworders Auctioneers is handling the letters and cards from Diana, with their director saying, “She was a constant in Diana’s life, somebody she could relate to and perhaps even escape from the world she was in. There was huge affection – she adored her.”
Collie worked for the family through the birth of all the Spencer children and remained with Diana until her parents’ 1967 divorce. She worked for France, Diana’s mother, following the divorce and died in 2013 at the age of 89.
Among the items is a wedding invitation for the July 1981 wedding of then-Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, which is estimated to fetch between £200-£300.
Christmas cards featuring Wales family portraits throughout the years are also on the auction block, with each expected to fetch between £200-£300. The earliest Christmas card is from 1981, with a wedding portrait featured on the cover; the latest is from 1994, with a portrait of Diana and her sons on the cover.
Letters from Diana to Collie are also being sold, and one from 1986 thanks her for the colouring books and pencils she gifted to Prince William and Prince Harry.
Another letter sent in late September 1984, soon after the birth of Harry, reveals from Diana that “William adores his little brother and spends the entire time pouring an endless supply of hugs and kisses over Harry.”
A letter dated Boxing Day 1982 reveals from Diana that William’s first Christmas was a bright one: “William was totally bemused by the event of Christmas, but couldn’t take his eyes off the lights!”
In a letter sent a few weeks before her 1981 wedding, Diana writes to Collie to thank her for sending a picture frame as a birthday gift. Diana writes: “everyone frantically busy here doing last minute decorations. The bride to be has remained quite calm!”
All letters are estimated to fetch between £800 – £1,200.
“The fact that she was wanting to say a special thank you – for albeit small presents – really says how kind and generous and caring Diana was,” said Macdonald.
Diana’s letters and cards will be auctioned as part of the Out of the Ordinary lot, slated for sale on 30 July.
