A tragic Christmas letter from Princess Diana, in which she expressed her hopes that 1997 “will be an easier year”, has come to light as part of a collection of her confidential correspondence.
In the poignant note dated December 17, 1996 — eight months before she died in a car crash in Paris — Diana also revealed her intention to spend the upcoming Christmas abroad “in the sun,” adding, “I’m going to outdo myself.” , if I stay here !’
The tone of the two-page letter reflected the traumatic year the Princess of Wales had just gone through after divorcing then-Prince Charles.
It was widely believed that Diana spent her last Christmas alone at Kensington Palace, but according to this letter, she had arranged an international flight.
As was royal family tradition, William and Harry spent Christmas at Sandringham with their father and grandparents.
Princess Diana wrote that she was looking forward to some Christmas sunshine abroad
In one poignant moment, she hoped that 1997 would be an easier year for her
The letters were written just eight months before Princess Diana’s death
She then adds, “I hope ’97 will be an easier year for all of us.”
In 1997 Diana went into a relationship with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan, which ended in July.
She then went on to have a brief relationship with Dodi Fayed, who died next to her in the car crash on August 31, 1997.
The letter was revealed as part of the cache of 32 letters and cards Diana wrote to her close friends Susie and Tarek Kassem.
The Kassems, who have come to know Diana well over the last two years of her life, are auctioning off the collection, with part of the proceeds going to charity.
In a second and optimistic letter sent to the Kassems in September 1996, Diana also wrote how excited she was about her future having found her freedom.
She wrote: “I’m more than happy to have my freedom and think I’m very lucky to have a second chance!
‘I’ve experienced a lot of beautiful things and it’s fun… who would have thought it!’
In a September 1996 letter, Diana said she was “happy to have my freedom”.
She also mentioned how lucky she was to get a second chance
Mimi Connell Lay of Lay Auctioneers of Penzanze, Cornwall, who is selling the letters, said: “The 1996 Christmas letter is heartbreaking. Of course we have the benefit of hindsight and we know what happened to her in 1997.
“In that respect, it’s really a tragic letter.
“Diana really struggled with the Christmas season as it always had to be spent at Sandringham House and she found that really difficult later in the marriage.
“Diana spent Christmas 1995 with the Kassems and it appears from this letter that she had made plans not to spend it alone at Kensington Palace.
“I think topping the line about yourself was a dismissive and light-hearted remark as it ended with an exclamation mark.
“The letter she sent in September 1996 was much more optimistic and showed that she was looking forward to the future.
“Of course, at the time she was in a relationship with Hasnat Khan, who she had called ‘the love of my life.’
“Their relationship ended in the summer of 1997.”
Princess Diana at a Christmas event in December 1996
The Kassems, who lived in London and are now in their 70s, have treasured the letters for over 25 years.
They have decided to sell them as they feel a great responsibility towards them and do not want to pass them on to their children or grandchildren.
The letter Diana wrote on December 17, 1996 reads: “So thrilled to receive flowers and a glass ribbon, thank you for thinking of me. Not being a Christmas lover I will outdo myself by staying here!
“I hope ’97 will be an easier year for all of us.”
She then elaborates on the death of her close friend Yannis Kaliviotis, whom she knew as John. The 27-year-old died of cystic fibrosis earlier this year.
She added, “I think of John and his family often and miss them more than I could have ever imagined.”
The letters will be sold on February 16th.