Rare photographs of a young Princess Diana from her school days have been unearthed and are now being offered for sale at auction. The images, taken by her friend Katherine Hanbury, capture Diana during her time at West Heath Girls' School in Sevenoaks, Kent, between 1973 and 1977.
Intimate Glimpses of a Future Princess
The photos, dating from 1977, show the then 16-year-old Diana in her school room, walking on the grounds, and relaxing in the sunshine with friends. These candid snaps were taken just months before she first met the then Prince Charles. Katherine Hanbury preserved the photographs for decades, ensuring their excellent condition.
Albert Radford, books and manuscripts specialist at Gorringe's Auctioneers of Lewes, East Sussex, commented: "This intimate archive offers a rare glimpse of Diana, Princess of Wales, before duty and fame had the final say. Through our client's recollections from West Heath Girls' School, Diana comes across as deeply unassuming and domestically minded; someone whose real ambition was simply to have a family and take pride in ordinary things."
A Letter from the Honeymoon
Alongside the photographs, a handwritten letter from Diana to Katherine Hanbury, penned during her honeymoon with Prince Charles at Balmoral, is also included in the archive. The three-page note, dated 27 September 1981, reflects Diana's early married life, describing a "blissful honeymoon" with "endless sun" and "calm seas" aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, as they traveled through Egypt and the Greek Isles before spending time in Scotland.
Diana wrote: "Its wonderful being married," adding that it felt safe to say so after two months. She expressed a strong preference for rural life, stating she adored being outside all day and disliked staying in London. The then 20-year-old also described adjusting to royal formalities, writing: "It's a case of playing with grown-ups!"
Auction Details
The collection, which includes the photos and the letter, is expected to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000 at Gorringe's Auctioneers. The sale will take place on July 7. This archive offers a unique perspective on Diana's life before the intense public scrutiny that followed her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
