Letters written by Princess Diana discussing her feelings about her new husband Prince Charles have been put up for auction in the UK.
The collection of previously unseen notes was penned by then 20-year-old Diana to Margaret Hodge, an older teacher who worked alongside her at Young England Kindergarten in London’s Pimlico district.
In the letters, which include Christmas cards, royal wedding invitations and notes Diana wrote while on her honeymoon at Balmoral, the young royal gave a unique insight into her marriage.
“It’s heavenly up here, just having the opportunity to do what you like and walk for miles,” Diana wrote of her honeymoon with Charles in Scotland. “I’ve vanished down many a hole — the husband having not realised — typical.”
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In the same note, Diana revealed her nerves ahead of her first official tour of Wales with Charles.
“I expect the sooner I can get used to it the better,” she said.
The young princess also wrote about her new marital home Highgrove, telling her friend it would be the perfect place to raise a family.
“It honestly won’t look smart. Just a cosy nest for Mr and Mrs Wales to roost with bright colours of course!” Diana wrote.
Another letter written after Prince William was born revealed Diana’s love for her son. She said William had brought “such joy” to her and Charles, but admitted they were both a little bemused by him.
“We are constantly looking at this small package making strange gaga noises,” Diana wrote.
William, on the other hand, knew exactly what he wanted, which was documented in a letter about a visit to Santa when the prince was a young boy.
“He was quite undaunted, producing a list as long as your arm of presents he wanted and nothing was left out,” Diana wrote.
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Hodge, who is now retired and approaching her 70th birthday, said she feels privileged to have called Diana a friend and knows she would be thrilled if she could see her sons William and Harry today.
“Diana was a lovely girl with a wonderful sense of humour,” Hodge told the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper.
“I was very privileged because my friendship with Diana continued after her wedding and we were in contact until her death in 1997.
“I know she was very much in love with Prince Charles and she just wanted to be loved in return and I know Diana would have been so proud when Prince William married Catherine and the fact he gave her his mother’s own ring when they got engaged.”
The collection of letters will go under the hammer next month. They are expected to fetch more than $30,000.
Your say: Do you think Margaret Hodge should have given her letters from Diana to Princes William and Harry instead of selling them?
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