A newly surfaced letter written by Princess Diana during her honeymoon with then-Prince Charles offers a poignant glimpse into the young bride's early hopes and her view of royal life as «a case of playing with grown-ups.» The letter, along with personal photographs, is being auctioned by Gorringe's, a U.K.-based auction house, starting July 7. The items come from Katherine Hanbury, a childhood friend who attended West Heath Girls' School with Diana between 1973 and 1977.
In the letter, Diana writes to Hanbury about her honeymoon: «We had a blissful honeymoon with endless sun and luckily calm seas.» She adds, «We are now up in Scotland until the end of October, which is a big treat for us — I adore being outside all day & hate London! Its wonderful being married — I think its safe to say that after two months...!» The letter also includes the now-famous line: «Its a case of playing with grown-ups!»
Hanbury, who kept the letters and photographs in her desk for about 45 years, told Fox News Digital that Diana was «completely hopeful» about her future. «She thought she'd met her prince,» Hanbury said. «And we all hope, don't we, when we get married, that we've found somebody we're going to spend the rest of our lives with, have children with and have a lovely, happy life.» Hanbury recalled that Diana «wanted to build a family of her own» and «had all of those aspirations.»
The friendship between Diana and Hanbury began at West Heath, where Diana was described as «good fun» and «very ordinary» — meant as a compliment. «My memory of her was that she really enjoyed all the everyday girl things,» Hanbury said. «She was very giggly, very caring. That's my memory of her: a young girl who was absolutely delightful.» Diana, then known as Lady Diana Spencer, «just went by Diana» at school, according to Hanbury.
Hanbury remembers Diana's love for domestic activities and sports. «She loved all the domestic things,» Hanbury said with a laugh. «I remember our headmistress had a small flat within the school, and she asked whether she could go in and clean it for her. She loved tidying people's rooms, organizing drawers and lockers.» Diana was also sporty, good at swimming and tennis. The two friends enjoyed simple pleasures, like riding bikes down a hill «just shrieking and hollering, making an awful lot of noise.»
Diana left West Heath at 16 but remained in touch with Hanbury. Charles and Diana did not begin dating until 1980, and they married on July 29, 1981. Hanbury recalled Diana's excitement after a weekend visit home when Prince Charles was at Althorp, her parents' country estate. «She was thrilled because she had met the prince,» Hanbury said. «Then the romance was revealed in the papers.» Hanbury discovered her friend's engagement to the future king through the press. «She was so young; she was only 20,» Hanbury said. «She seemed barely out of school. It was portrayed as very romantic. She was definitely smitten with him.»
Hanbury believed Diana's future as a royal was set, noting that Diana «was always caring for people» and «very thoughtful, kind and loving.» She added, «She wanted to be loved by everybody. She was a giver. There was no other side to her. She was genuinely kind. When she entered this whole new world — the royal family — everything we saw of her was real. That was Diana.»
Despite the fairy-tale beginning, Charles and Diana's marriage was marked by years of turmoil under relentless public scrutiny. After welcoming two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, the couple announced their separation in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 1996. Less than a year later, on Aug. 31, 1997, Diana died after suffering injuries in a car crash in Paris. She was 36.
Hanbury reflected on the tragedy, saying, «You could smell the flowers in London from miles away before you even got to where they were being laid in front of the palace gates. It was unbelievably sad. I still can't put it into words. She was so young, and then...» The auction of the letters and photographs, Hanbury said, is her way of sharing the joy these items brought her: «I've had these letters and photos in my desk for the last 45 years or so. I'm not getting any younger, and I can't take them with me. I thought now is the time to give somebody else the opportunity to have the pleasure and the joy of looking at and reading them, as they gave to me.»
