Rare Childhood Letters and Photos of Princess Diana to Feature in UK Auction

A British auction house is preparing to offer a rare collection of photographs and letters belonging to the late Princess Diana, shedding light on her personal life during her early school years. This collection will be part of a public auction scheduled for early July.

The archive includes four previously unpublished color photographs from the period when Diana attended West Heath School for Girls between 1973 and 1977. Alongside these images are personal letters exchanged with her childhood friend, Catherine Hanbury, who preserved these items for many years.

The photographs capture Diana in everyday moments both inside and outside the school environment, including shots with her classmates in the schoolyard and the student dormitory, offering insight into her life before joining the royal family.

Among the collection is a handwritten card signed "Diana (S)," referencing her family name Spencer, as well as a later letter sent to her friend after her marriage to King Charles. In this letter, she discusses her honeymoon and shares some personal experiences from that time.

The auction house emphasized that these items portray a different image of Princess Diana during her teenage years, showing her as someone closely connected to her social circle before becoming one of the world’s most famous public figures.

The collection also contains a special memorial service program held in 1997 following her death, adding a historical dimension to the archive by documenting a period after her passing.

This collection will be presented at an art auction on July 7, with initial estimates suggesting its value could reach several thousand dollars. The auction is expected to attract significant interest from collectors of royal memorabilia and rare historical materials.