There are some public figures we just never stop thinking about, and Princess Diana is definitely one of them. Nearly three decades after her death, people are still fascinated by who she was behind the headlines and royal drama. That’s why a newly announced auction is already getting a ton of attention. A collection of never-before-seen photos and personal correspondence is about to go up for sale, offering a rare glimpse into Diana’s life long before she became the Princess of Wales.
The timing feels especially timely too. July 1 would have marked Diana’s 65th birthday, while July 29 marks the anniversary of her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles. And now, right in between those dates, a collection from one of her childhood friends is giving royal fans a chance to see the teenage Diana few people ever knew.
So what, exactly, is in the collection, and what do these newly revealed photos tell us about the woman who would become one of the most famous people in the world? Read on for all the details—and a look at the photos.
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What do these photos reveal?
The collection, which is being sold by Gorringe’s auction house in the U.K., contains four previously unseen color photographs from Diana’s years at West Heath Girls’ School, where she attended from 1973 to 1977. Two of the photos show Diana alone in her bedroom, another captures her outside the school, and a fourth shows her relaxing with a group of friends.
The photos come from Diana’s longtime friend Katherine Hanbury, who also attended West Heath. And they aren’t carefully staged royal portraits or iconic paparazzi shots. They’re snapshots of a teenage girl hanging out with friends and living a life that looked surprisingly ordinary.
What other Diana memorabilia is being auctioned off?
In addition to the photos, the collection reveals “personal correspondence and ephemera, relating to her schooldays and friendships, and the Royal honeymoon,” according to Gorringe’s. One of the most interesting items in the collection is a three-page handwritten letter Diana sent to Hanbury shortly after returning from her honeymoon with Prince Charles in 1981. Written on Buckingham Palace stationery and bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s royal seal, the letter is dated Sept. 27, 1981, just two months after the royal wedding watched by millions around the world.
In the note, Diana thanked her friend for sending a card and wrote, “Dear Katherine, I can’t tell you what a lovely surprise I got opening your card. Thank you so much for putting pen to paper and wishing me well.” The original envelope is included as part of the lot, making it an especially personal piece of royal history. The collection also contains a handwritten birthday card signed “Diana (S).” Apparently, that was how classmates distinguished her from another student named Diana.
And then there’s perhaps the most emotional item of all: a program from a private Thanksgiving service held in London on Nov. 19, 1997, following Diana’s death in a car crash in Paris earlier that year. Unlike the globally televised funeral at Westminster Abbey, this intimate memorial service was attended by only those closest to her. As a result, very few copies of the program exist, making it a particularly rare keepsake.
How much is all of this expected to sell for?
The entire collection is expected to sell for between approximately $4,600 and $6,937—which is probably not as much as you might expect! But given the enduring interest in Diana and the fact that several of the photographs have never been publicly seen before, it wouldn’t be surprising if bidding ultimately pushes the final price higher.
Can you put in a bid too?
Yes, you can! The auction will take place at Gorringe’s auction house in Lewes, East Sussex, as part of their live Summer Fine Art & Interiors Sale on July 7. Interested buyers have until June 9 to enter their bid, and they aren’t required to be there in person.
But take note: The final cost is usually higher than the winning bid. Auction houses typically charge a buyer’s premium, and additional fees or taxes may apply depending on the bidder’s location.
Of course, not everyone has several thousand dollars ready to spend on Diana memorabilia. But even for those who never plan to bid, the collection offers something valuable: a reminder of the person Diana was before the world knew her name.
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Sources:
- Gorringe’s: “Summer Fine Art & Interiors Sale”
- El País: “New Lady Di Auction: Unseen Photos and Letters from the Time Before She Was Princess of Wales”
- Fine Books Magazine: “Princess Diana Private Correspondence and Rare Photographs to Auction”
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