King Charles' Letter To Grieving Friend Months After Princess Diana's Death Resurfaces In Auction; Details Inside

A heartfelt letter from King Charles III, written four months after Princess Diana's death, was recently sold at auction, shedding light on the monarch's personal grief and compassion.

By Sakina Kaukawala

Published on Jul 29, 2024 | 07:29 PM IST | 59.6K

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

A deeply moving letter from King Charles III, written only four months after Princess Diana's death, was recently sold at auction. This personal note, dated December 8, 1997, provides a touching glimpse into Charles' own grief and deep empathy in the midst of great loss as per Daily Mail.

King Charles' letter details and auction information

The letter, written on Highgrove House letterhead, is signed simply as Charles. It was addressed to Peter, a friend who had recently lost a loved one, and referred to as "dear Liz." The three-page note was delivered by hand, per Charles' instructions. It has now been listed for auction by RR Auction in Boston, with a starting bid of $2,000 (£1,500). The bidding will close on August 14.

King Charles' emotional expressions and biblical reflections

In the letter, Charles expresses his sympathy for Peter, reflecting on the shared grief of losing someone dear. He concludes: "My heart bleeds for you as I can imagine so well the utter agony and despair you must have gone through." The King also recognizes the unbearable emptiness and bewilderment that accompany such a loss.

Charles uses his Christian faith to provide comfort, quoting 1 Corinthians 13:12 from the Bible: "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face." He concludes: "Personally, I believe that there is another dimension beyond this physical one & that we will be amazed to discover it for ourselves when we are eventually—or at a moment—called upon to make that certain journey for ourselves."

Context and connection to Princess Diana’s death

Princess Diana's tragic death in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, had a profound impact on Charles. The letter to Peter was written just four months after Diana's death, so the King's reflections are especially touching. The timing of the letter suggests that Charles was still processing his own grief while expressing empathy to his friend.

An RR Auction spokesperson stated the letter's significance, saying, "This lengthy handwritten letter to 'Peter' expresses his sympathy upon the death of a loved one." The spokesperson also stated that Charles was likely particularly emotional at the time, given the recent loss of Princess Diana. The letter's personal and reflective nature provides a unique insight into Charles' emotions during this turbulent time.

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