Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles was filled with turmoil, betrayal, and heartbreak. While the world watched their relationship unravel in the public eye, the true extent of her suffering was often hidden behind royal protocols and carefully crafted appearances.
Now, decades later, confidential letters written by Diana herself have surfaced, shedding light on just how painful her final years in the marriage were.
Diana maintained a small but fiercely loyal circle of friends, including Susie and Tarek Kassem. Throughout the bitter divorce process, the Kassems were a source of comfort and unwavering support.
They later described Diana as a butterfly—graceful despite the chaos surrounding her. In her letters to them, she poured out her emotions, revealing her deepest struggles during the breakup with Charles.
One letter, dated April 28, 1996, paints a harrowing picture of Diana’s desperation. “It’s too difficult sometimes, and today I am on my knees and just longing for this divorce to go through as the possible cost is tremendous. It’s desperate and ugly.” These words offer a rare, unfiltered glimpse into her emotional turmoil, far removed from the composed image she often presented to the public.
Diana’s decision to divorce Charles came after immense pressure, including a direct nudge from Queen Elizabeth II following her explosive interview with journalist Martin Bashir. In the now-infamous BBC Panorama interview, Diana candidly spoke about Charles’s long-standing affair with Camilla Parker Bowles and her own struggles within the royal family.
The interview sent shockwaves through the monarchy, and the Queen swiftly recommended a formal separation. By August 1996, the divorce was finalized.
For over 25 years, Diana’s letters were kept safe by the Kassems, but they are now being auctioned by Cornwall-based Lay’s Auctioneers. The collection of 32 letters, expected to sell for approximately $111,000, will contribute to charities that were close to Diana’s heart.
The auction house stated, “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.”
Mimi Connell-Lay, a representative from Lay’s Auctioneers, described the letters as “raw and astonishing,” revealing just how isolated Diana felt. “She wrote a lot about what was going on in her life at the time, especially her divorce, and repeatedly referred to not having the support from the royal family,” Connell-Lay shared.
Among Diana’s many fears during this period was the belief that she was being watched and monitored. In a letter dated May 20, 1996, she expressed her paranoia to Susie Kassem, writing, “As I don’t have a mobile, it is difficult to discuss personal issues as my lines here are constantly recorded and passed on.”
She suspected that her private conversations were being eavesdropped on, adding another layer of distress to an already unbearable situation.
This fear played a crucial role in her decision to trust journalist Martin Bashir, who allegedly used deceptive tactics to convince Diana to grant him the Panorama interview.
Reports later suggested that Bashir exploited her anxieties by fabricating claims of surveillance, feeding into her paranoia and leading her to believe that speaking out was her only option.
Diana first met Susie Kassem at the Royal Brompton Hospital, where they formed an instant connection. Their friendship became a lifeline for Diana, who frequently turned to Susie for advice and emotional support.
As she battled loneliness and depression, these private letters became an outlet for the pain she couldn’t express elsewhere.
Despite the overwhelming hardship, Diana’s resilience remained evident. Even in her darkest moments, she continued to champion humanitarian causes, dedicate herself to her children, and present a brave face to the world.
But behind closed doors, these letters reveal a woman struggling to hold herself together amid a divorce that left her feeling abandoned and alone.
Diana’s life was tragically cut short in 1997, just a year after her divorce. Yet, through these letters, her voice still echoes—offering a poignant reminder of her humanity, her suffering, and the strength she carried until the very end.
