These are letters to ‘Di’ for.
A series of personal missives and holiday cards written by the Princess of Wales to one of her former housekeepers is expected to fetch six figures at a June 27 auction.
The collection includes correspondence authored by Diana after her 1981 marriage to then-Prince Charles, as well as 14 Christmas and New Year cards sent between 1981 and 1995.
The memos to Maud Pendrey, a former housekeeper at the Spencer family home at Althorp in Northamptonshire exhibit Diana’s humanity and signature common touch.
One handwritten note, in black ink on royal letterhead, is dated Sept. 8, 1982, and describes her honeymoon with Charles as “a tremendous success — and we had a glorious time.”
In another letter, written shortly after the birth of her first son William, Diana described herself as an “extremely proud and lucky mother.”
“William has brought us such happiness and contentment, and consequently I cannot wait for masses more,” she added.
A September 1982 note on Balmoral Castle letterhead thanks the employee for her gift to her oldest son.
“We are so thrilled & delighted with your wonderful cardigans — thank you very much for spoiling William, he doesn’t deserve it!”
The letter is signed, “Take great care & much love from us all, Diana.”
described by Queen Elizabeth II as an “annus horribilis.” Getty Images
A two-page handwritten letter dated July 13, 1983 includes a playful comment and quirky observation.
“When the helicopter took off from Althorp, we flew over your house and I just wondered if you’d seen me waving? … and Sarah’s [Sarah Ferguson, the Dutchess of York] baby is very sweet with extremely long fingers.”
Prince Charles and Princess Diana separated in 1992, a year described by Queen Elizabeth II as an “annus horribilis.”
A 1992 signed holiday card with a black and white photo of just Prince William and Prince Harry spoke volumes. The card’s exterior stamped in gold gilt is a coronet with Princess Diana’s Coat of Arms.
On the interior left-hand side is handwritten and typed text: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year/1992/Lots of Love from us all, Diana.”
The letters and cards are part of a massive Princess Di sale hosted by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills this month.
The correspondences are all written in Diana’s handwriting and signed by the princess.
The 36-year-old Royal was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997.
