Rare photographs of a youthful Princess Diana during her school years have surfaced for auction. These images, captured by her friend Katherine Hanbury while attending West Heath Girls’ School in Kent between 1973 and 1977, showcase a 16-year-old Diana in various settings around the school premises.
Taken in 1977, just before her initial encounter with Prince Charles, the pictures have been carefully preserved by Hanbury over the years. Now, this collection of photos, accompanied by correspondence from Diana herself, is up for sale at Gorringe’s Auctioneers in East Sussex for £4,000.
Albert Radford, a specialist in books and manuscripts at Gorringe’s, noted that this personal archive offers a unique insight into Diana, Princess of Wales, before her royal obligations and celebrity status took precedence. Descriptions from Hanbury paint a picture of a humble and family-oriented Diana, far removed from the public image sculpted by others.
Included in the auction is a handwritten note from Diana to Katherine Hanbury, penned during her honeymoon with Charles in Balmoral. Reflecting on the early days of marriage, Diana’s upbeat tone and fond memories of their travels aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia reveal a carefree and joyful beginning to their union.
The correspondence also touches on Diana’s adjustment to royal life, illustrating her perceptions of the formalities she was expected to follow. The auction of these Diana archives, anticipated to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000, is scheduled for July 7.
