Princess Diana's letters about 'naughty' Harry up for sale

Handwritten notes to Buckingham Palace steward expected to raise £15,000 at auction

princess diana letters
(Image credit: Cheffins)

A collection of letters written by Princess Diana about her children Princes William and Harry are to be sold at auction today for an estimated £15,000.

The six handwritten notes were sent to Cyril Dickman, a steward at Buckingham Palace for more than 50 years, in the 1980s and 90s and are described as "the private letters between a trusted butler and the royal family".

They reveal personal family insights such as how Harry was "constantly in trouble" and how much the boys enjoy boarding school, reports ITV News.

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"One particularly touching letter", says the broadcaster, reads: "Dear Cyril, it was so very kind of you to have sent us such a lovely card, on the arrival of our small son."William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near!"Another, sent in October 1992, says: "The boys are well and enjoying boarding school a lot, although Harry is constantly in trouble!"

Described by Cambridge auctioneers Cheffins as "a favourite of every member of the royal family", Dickman, who died aged 85 in 2012, received handwritten notes from other senior royals dating back more than 30 years, says the BBC.Other lots include a boxed piece of cake from the Queen's wedding in 1947, Christmas cards and photos.

Auctioneer Luke MacDonald told Sky News: "They give a more personal insight into the lives of the royals [that] perhaps we can relate to far more than the more formal times we see them in the press and on television."Her Royal Highness Princess Diana was adored by so many people. I think people feel that to actually have a letter, handwritten by her. It's something very special."