Rare glimpse of Charles and Diana during happier times: Cards from late royal to fashion designer Bill Pashley show couple on honeymoon and doting on William and Harry

• Cards from the late Princess of Wales featured loved-up photos with Charles
• READ MORE: Meghan and Kate were encouraged to dress like Diana

Cards from Princess Diana to friend and royal fashion designer Bill Pashley have revealed a rare insight into happier times during her marriage to King Charles.

The collection, which has sold for £7,000, includes a lighthearted letter from the late royal, in which she joked about the Scottish climate turning her honeymoon tan ‘light blue’ after a Balmoral trip.

It also features photos of the loved up pair doting on their children – the young Princes William and Harry. 

Around August 1981, Diana penned Bill a note to thank him for making outfits for her stay in Scotland, shortly after the pair returned their honeymoon around the Mediterranean on Royal Yacht Britannia.

She referenced her wedding, only 19 days earlier, at St Paul’s Cathedral of which she could remember ‘most of what went on.’

Cards from Princess Diana to friend and royal fashion designer Bill Pashley have revealed a rare insight into happier times during her marriage to King Charles. Pictured in 1981 

Diana also detailed struggling to get into her room due to boxes of skirts that Bill had sent over.

‘When I arrived back here, it was difficult to get into my room, due to two huge boxes blocking all form of entrance!’ Diana wrote.

‘A million thanks for doing all the skirts & generally everything so quickly. They’ll keep me going for a while!

‘Ever since our return, I have remained a light blue from the cold as the places where we went were boiling & for once I’ve gone a decent colour!!

‘I do hope that you had a good view at St. Paul’s [of the wedding], funnily enough I remember most of what went on!

‘Dearest Bill, you are just the kindest of people to have done all my Scottish wear & it’s enormously appreciated.’

The letter, on Balmoral Castle-headed notepaper, was consigned for auction by the family of Mr Pashley, who died in 2014.

Along with it were 13 Royal Christmas cards Diana sent to Bill from 1981 to 1994. 

The collection also features photos of the loved up pair doting on their children – the young Princes William and Harry. Pictured in a Christmas card from 1985

Along with the letter were 13 Royal Christmas cards Diana sent to Bill from 1981 to 1994. Pictured, a card from 1990

Around August 1981, Diana penned Bill a note to thank him for making outfits for her stay on Scotland, shortly after the pair returned their honeymoon around the Mediterranean on Royal Yacht Britannia

The collection, which has sold for £7,000, includes a lighthearted letter from the late royal, in which she joked about the Scottish climate turning her honeymoon tan ‘light blue’ after a Balmoral trip

Pictured: A letter Diana sent to Bill in October, 1980. other clients included Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and opera singers Dame Margaret Price, and Dame Gwyneth Jones

Diana and Charles in a Christmas card sent to Bill from 1981. It features the couple photographed on their wedding day 

Diana and Charles looking loved up with baby Prince William pictured in a Christmas card from 1982

Charles, Diana and William pictured in their festive family portrait from 1983, which was used in the card

The trio welcomed baby Prince Harry in their 1984 Christmas portrait, looking happy as ever in the snap 

The whole family – and an adorable little pup – posed together for the 1986 Christmas card portrait

William appears to be laughing while a puzzled Harry looks on during this festive family photo from 1987

The 1981 festive greeting carries a wedding photograph of the happy newly-wedded couple.

The cards for 1982 and 1984 have pictures of Prince William as a baby and William and a new-born Prince Harry respectively.

All of the cards have photos of the family of four up until 1992 – the year it was announced Charles and Diana were separating.

For 1993 and 1994 the Christmas cards contained photos of just Diana and her two boys.

The cards and two letters sold for over £7,000 at Hansons Auctioneers of Etwall, Derbys.

The whole crew decided to pose outdoors for their relaxed family Christmas card portrait from 1988

In 1989, Diana, Charles, William and Harry all opted for a more formal photo to use in the Christmas card

Diana sported a chic red blazer – while the boys opted for simple suits – for their 1991 Christmas card photo 

Only William and Harry – without their mother or father – feature on the 1992 Christmas card photo

William, Harry and Diana – without Charles – are pictured during the 1993 Christmas card portrait

The boys and their mother posed for a sweet, smiling snap which was taken for the 1994 Christmas card

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: ‘The strong results achieved for Christmas cards and a letter relating to the life and times of Diana, Princess of Wales, underline her importance and enduring popularity.

‘She was adored not just by this nation but by people all over the world. Her tragic death in a car accident in 1997 prompted an exceptional response and outpouring of love.

‘There is a deep fascination with her life and keen royalists will always want to own items connected to her.’

Bill Pashley’s other clients included Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and opera singers Dame Margaret Price, and Dame Gwyneth Jones.

He was from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and studied at the Royal College of Art in London.

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