Diana, The Private Correspondence of a Princess

Update: 16th Feb 2023 — Sold

The collection of letters sold for a total hammer value of £141,150, with highlights Lot 418 realising a hammer price of £23,000 and Lot 424 reaching £26,000.

Results from the Auction can be found here: Antiques & Interiors Results.

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To be sold in individual lots (lots 400–431) in our next Antiques & Interiors Sale, on February 16th 2023 

Susie & Tarek Kassem, as very close friends of Diana, Princess of Wales, have treasured these letters for over 25 years. They reflect the special and loving relationship they had with the most unique woman that they had ever known. Now, in 2023, the ownership of these poignant documents is a responsibility that the Kassems do not wish to pass on to their children or grandchildren. They have decided to sell the letters and use proceeds of the sale to support some of the
charities that were close to Susie and Diana's hearts.

Susie & Tarek feel extremely privileged that they had the opportunity to get to know the Princess so closely. Throughout their friendship the Kassems were always amazed at the incredible effect Diana had on anyone who came into contact with her, whether in the street, theatre, restaurant or elsewhere. Her electrifying presence transcends time. People’s fascination with Princess Diana has hardly waned since her tragic death. At Lay’s Auctions we have seen how thrilled people are by the opportunity to own something of hers, particularly something as personal as her own handwritten letters; they liken it to owning the treasured relic of a saint.

With this in mind, the Kassems would like to give other people the opportunity of acquiring "a memento" of the Princess,
and in doing so, support causes that were important to her.

The Kassems have kept some of their more personal and confidential letters, but largely this collection of over 30 letters and notecards illustrate Diana’s immensely warm and loving disposition in a charming and delightful manner. Some letters do touch on the enormous stress she was experiencing during periods of very public heartbreak,  yet her strength of character and her generous and witty disposition shine through.

It is an extraordinarily poignant collection of correspondence, written by one of the most important and influential women of the 20^th century, and documents one of her most valued and significant friendships during the last 2 years of her life.

View the full collection

For further information about this remarkable collection, email Mimi Connell-Lay