Tragic Princess Diana note written months before death reveals hope for life after divorce 

A letter written by Princess Diana just seven months before her death will be auctioned

The handwritten letter sent to charity worker Simon Barnes on December 21, 1996 details how

Diana and Prince Charles’ divorce was finalised in August 1996 after they announced their separation in 1992. 

But the one page letter signed, “Diana X,” on Kensington Palace stationery, reveals how the mother-of-two was thinking of others. 

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I hope 1997 will be a happy year for you—personally I can’t wait to get out of this one!

The letter reads: “I was enormously touched to receive your lovely present—I have not read ‘The Celestial Prophecy’ & I’m relying on you to alert me to these great books!

"Thank you so much for thinking of me at Christmas time—After all the changes that have taken place this year it’s marvellous of you to be so thoughtful.

"I hope 1997 will be a happy year for you—personally I can’t wait to get out of this one! Lots of love, Simon, & a huge heartfelt thank you for my book.”

The handwritten note reveals how Diana was looking forward to 1997

Diana was killed in a car crash just eight months after sending the handwritten note. 

Mr Barnes, a paraplegic who broke his back on a Territorial Army assault course aged 21, developed a friendship with Diana through their shared efforts with the International Spinal Research Trust.

The letter will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction, and has an estimate of £1,500. 

Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction, said: "The letter from Lady Diana shows her caring loving side, that each of us can instantly recognise and remember about her even when her own marriage may have been was falling apart.

"Diana had such an openness, and engaging quality— that\'s what everyone loved about her, and that can be seen in this letter.”

The letter will go under the hammer alongside a Christmas note to Prince William from Queen Elizabeth II. 

The one page note signed “from Granny,” on Buckingham Palace stationery, reads: “William, I hope you enjoy opening this each day.”

A Christmas note to Prince William from Queen Elizabeth II will also go under the hammer

The Queen is believed to have sent the undated letter to Prince William with an advent calendar

The note is believed to have originally been sent to the Prince with an advent calendar. It was purchased from a former employee of Princess Diana and is expected to fetch £1,400.

Mr Livingston said: “A seldom-encountered piece of correspondence from within the royal family, enhanced by its fitting Christmas time association.”

The auction house is also selling a photograph of a young Queen Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret used for a Christmas card in 1946, which is expected to fetch £790. 

A Christmas card from a young Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret is also on offer

RR Auction also has a letter from King Edward VIII sent during World War I

Royal fans also have the opportunity to bid on an early signed portrait of the future queen. A seated portrait of the 22-year-old Elizabeth by Dorothy Wilding, is signed “Elizabeth, 1948” in black ink. 

RR Auctions says the Queen signed the photograph in the year she gave birth to Prince Charles. 

A letter from King Edward VIII sent before he became King during the First World War is also up for grabs.

The letter from the then 24-year-old prince during WW1 is signed ‘Edward’. 

Written on July 4 1919 from the British Forces Headquarters in Italy to Captain Faussett, the letter reads: “This — — war how it does drag on tho. it’s going to last another 10 years, that’s what I feel about it tho. of course the Americans are going to pull us thru we should be done without them!! 

“Please forgive such a rotten, dull & untidy scrawl but its written in the office where we are very busy & where I’m being interrupted the whole time!! My kindest regards to Mrs. Faussett & my love to David!! No news or gossip from here! Again many thanks for your kind letter & I remain ever yours.”

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