A typed letter signed and inscribed by Princess Diana on official Buckingham Palace notepaper.
Princess Diana (July 1, 1961 - August 31, 1997) was the former wife of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and the mother of Princes William and Harry.
Diana was known as "the people's Princess", and was renowned as both a fashion icon and a tireless humanitarian. Her tragic death in August 1997 was met with worldwide mourning, and she remains a much-loved figure to this day.
Following the official announcement of her engagement to Prince Charles on February 24, 1981, Diana moved out of her flat in Kensington to live at Clarence House until the wedding on July 29.
Then only 19, Diana had just a few months in which to prepare for life as a Princess, and it was during this remarkable period in her life that she signed this letter.
As a young child, the consignor of the letter wrote to Diana and invited her to his house for tea, as he thought she would be lonely whilst Prince Charles was overseas.
Diana was kind enough to personally respond to his letter and her reply, dated May 15th, 1981, reads:
"Thank you very much for writing me such a lovely letter. It was so good of you to think of me and I am most touched by your kind thought."
The body of the letter is typed, but is addressed "Dear Stephen" in Diana's own hand, and is signed "Your sincerely, Diana Spencer".
Following her marriage, Diana never signed her name as "Diana Spencer" again, and the vast majority of pieces bearing her signature are signed simply "Diana".
The letter comes complete with its original Buckingham Palace envelope, along with a letter of provenance from its original owner.
A rare early autograph signed by one of the 20th century's most iconic women.
