The intimate thoughts of Dianathe Princess of Wales, on topics such as the Royal Family and her divorce from then-Prince Charles were revealed in a series of letters hand lettering that will be auctioned off next month.
The letterson official Kensington Palace letterhead, were written to two friends, Susie and Tarek Kassem, between 1995 and 1996. The collection of 32 letters is expected to auction for £90,000, the proceeds it will be devoted to causes that were “close to Susie and Diana’s hearts.”
Susie and Tarek Kassem, who live in London, spent time with Princess Diana in the years leading up to her death. In particular, Diana and Susie were spotted having lunch in Marlow, strolling along Fulham Road and even at Kensington Palace.
According to Lay’s Auctioneers of Penzance, the Kassems are selling Princess Diana’s letters because «owning the documents is a big responsibility» that they do not want to pass on to their children. The experts continue: «The Kassems have kept some of their most personal and confidential letters, but for the most part this collection of over 30 letters and postcards illustrates Diana’s immensely warm and loving disposition in a charming and delightful way.”
In a letter, dated April 28, 1996, Diana apologized for not being able to attend the opera Tuscany: «I am going through a very difficult period and the pressure is coming from all sides», he writes, «It is too difficult sometimes to keep my head up and today I am on my knees. I just want this divorce to go through».
In another letter, she thanked the couple for hosting her over the Christmas period: “I was so thrilled to be invited to a family occasion, especially as you have me made to feel like one of the team“, he wrote.
On 20 May 1996 he wrote to Kassem: «Since I don’t have a cell phone, it is difficult to discuss personal matters, given that my words here are constantly being recorded and broadcast. If I had known a year ago what I was going to experience with this divorce I would never have consented. It’s an ugly and desperate situation.”
On 19 December 1995, the day after the Queen advised Charles and Diana to divorce, she wrote: “I may have been described as a butterfly, but I don’t want to fly away from this loving family,” referring to the Kassem family. She added: “I’m thrilled by how protective you are of me … I’m not used to this!».
Commenting on the collection, the auction house said: “It is a wonderfully moving collection of correspondence, written by one of the most important and influential women of the twentieth centuryand documents one of his most treasured and significant friendships during the last two years of his life.”
The sale of these letters will take place on 16 February at Lay’s Auctioneers in Penzance, England.
Source: Vanity Fair
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