The former Princess of Wales formed an unlikely friendship during her first few days at Buckingham Palace
Just two days after marrying Prince Charles, Princess Diana admitted she felt “terribly lonely” in a newly unveiled handwritten letter.
Obtained by People magazine, the rare note — dated July 31, 1981 (two days after the royal wedding) — is addressed to Mark Simpson, a Buckingham Palace footman who was close in age to the late Princess of Wales.
It’s one of over 300 personal items included in Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection, an upcoming auction hosted by Julien’s Auctions on June 26 in Beverly Hills.
In the letter, Diana wrote: “My stay was made so much easier by your company as it was so terribly lonely + we had so many laughs for that I can’t thank you enough.”
She signed off with warmth and humour, referencing their shared cereal rituals and adding, “A large thank you for being you — Much love, Diana.”
Julien’s Auctions co-founder Martin Nolan told People that the note is one of his “favourite pieces” as it “speaks volumes.”
He explained, “She’d been living in Buckingham Palace as she was transitioning from being a normal person to being a royal… She had to learn from the Queen Mother and the Queen about curtsying and all that.”
And while Diana’s early royal life was “no fun,” Nolan notes Simpson “cheered her up and they had fun.”
