Additional Coverage:
- Princess Diana’s honeymoon letter reveals a young bride ‘playing with grown-ups’ in the royal family (foxnews.com)
A Childhood Friend Shares Intimate Glimpses of Princess Diana Ahead of Auction
Princess Diana once dreamed of a fairy-tale life with then-Prince Charles-a vision that ultimately unraveled. Katherine Hanbury, who attended West Heath Girls’ School with Diana from 1973 to 1977, is now partnering with the UK auction house Gorringe’s to offer personal photographs and letters from that era, starting July 7.
Hanbury, reflecting on Diana’s early hopes, told Fox News Digital, “She was completely hopeful. She thought she’d met her prince. Like all of us, she hoped for a lifelong partnership filled with love and family.”
Described as “good fun” and “very ordinary” by her classmates-a compliment in the best sense-Diana was just another girl in their circle during their school days. Hanbury recalls her as “giggly, caring, and delightful,” someone who enjoyed everyday activities and had a love for domestic tasks such as tidying and organizing. Diana also enjoyed sports like swimming and tennis, and the two friends shared simple joys like biking downhill together, laughing and shouting all the way.
Despite her noble birth as Lady Diana Spencer, she blended in effortlessly at school. Diana left West Heath at 16 but maintained her friendship with Hanbury.
The romance with Prince Charles began later, in 1980, leading to their wedding on July 29, 1981. Hanbury remembers how Diana was thrilled after meeting Charles at her family’s estate, Althorp.
“She was just 20 and seemed barely out of school. The romance was portrayed as very romantic, and she was clearly smitten.
We were all surprised that our ordinary school friend would marry a prince.”
Among the auctioned items is “The Honeymoon Letter,” penned by Diana during her 1981 honeymoon. In it, she shares her joy and excitement about married life, writing of “blissful honeymoon with endless sun,” and adapting to her new royal role, “It’s a case of playing with grown-ups!”
Hanbury believes Diana’s genuine kindness and caring nature shone through even as she embraced royal life. “She was a giver, thoughtful and loving. Even when everything around her changed, that was Diana-always real and authentic.”
While Diana’s life took a dramatic and public turn, Hanbury pursued a quieter path but never stopped thinking about her old friend. The marriage to Charles, despite two sons-Prince William and Prince Harry-ended in separation in 1992 and divorce in 1996.
Tragically, Diana died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at just 36 years old. Hanbury recalls the outpouring of grief worldwide.
“You could smell the flowers in London from miles away. It was unbelievably sad.
She was so young, and to lose her in such a way after all she endured was a tragedy.”
Today, Hanbury hopes the letters and photos she kept for over four decades will reveal a more personal side of the Princess of Wales. “She was the real deal,” Hanbury said.
“She never tried to be anyone but herself. That’s something rare, and that was Diana.”