LONDON – Letters handwritten by the late Princess Diana, including one unveiling how her son Prince Harry was “constantly in trouble”, sold for £15,100 at auction in London, exceeding the £2,300-£3,600 estimate.
The six letters were sent to Buckingham Palace Head Steward Cyril Dickman in the 1980s and 90s and offer an enthralling glimpse into the life of the Prices Diana. Dickman died aged 85 in 2012 and the letters were uncovered by his grandson who presented them for auction.
“The boys are well and enjoying boarding school although Harry is constantly in trouble!” the princess describes about trouble, in one letter, dated October 17, 1992. “We are off to Korea in November so a good place to do Christmas Shopping!” she adds.
A letter where Diana told about Prince William’s adoration for younger brother Harry, was sold for £3,200.
In a letter written five days after Harry’s birth, Diana wrote it was a “particularly happy time”. She also wrote, “William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near!”
Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, told Dickman of Harry’s discipline problems ahead of a 1992 trip to Asia.
The complete collection of 40 lots, including Christmas cards, a piece of cake from the Queen Elizabeth II’s 1947 wedding and a note sent from the queen, achieved £55,000 in total.
Dickman was a much-respected figure in Buckingham Palace before his retirement in 1992, and is credited with helping Diana deal with the death of her father in the same year.
On his retirement, the princess wrote: “Cyril, you will be greatly missed by this particular Lady – thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind to me throughout the years and take great care of yourself, fondest love from Diana x.”
Dickman started his career at Buckingham Palace watching out for fires on the roof during the Blitz. He retired at the age of 65 and was made a Freeman of the City of London.
