Princess Diana's 1984 Letter Shows Touching Bond Between Prince William & Prince Harry

May 19, 2021

Princess Diana also called the People's Princess, is remembered fondly all over the world for her impeccable fashion style, kind-hearted manner, and charity work. Diana's early death in 1997 devasted the British royal family and fans across the globe. 
Princess Diana may have passed away more than two decades ago in a tragic car accident, but she remains one of the most iconic members of the Royal Family throughout history. Even if you did not agree with some of her actions and choices, she was a truly unique woman who managed to always stand out in a crowd. 
Her influence is still felt today, which is why she is still often honored in various ways. Whether it's through her charitable work, her honesty about mental health, or her stylish legacy, Princess Diana was indeed one of a kind.

Princess Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, have both taken on their mother's legacy regarding being advocates for mental health and beloved by royal fans. However, ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left their duties as working royals behind after Megxit, there has reportedly been a rift between the two brothers. 

However, a 1984 letter from Princess Diana to one of her close aides reveals the tight bond that was once present between Prince William and Harry. Although the brothers are both much older now than they were when the letter was written, the possibility of them rekindling a close relationship is not unrealistic.

Read on to learn more about Princess Diana's 1984 letter and what it revealed about Prince William and Harry's relationship. 

After the Oprah with Meghan and Harry interview debuted on national television in March of 2021, Prince Harry's relationship with his brother and the rest of the royal family has been under intense speculation. When Prince Harry was asked about his relationship with his brother during the 2019 ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, Harry said:

"…Look, we're brothers, we'll always be brothers. And we're certainly on different paths at the moment, but I'll always be there for him, as I know he'll always be there for me. We don't see each other as much as we used to because we're so busy, but you know, I love him dearly. The majority of this stuff [in the press] is created out of nothing, but you know, as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days." 

While Prince William and Harry's relationship has been strained ever since Megxit, a series of handwritten letters provide evidence of a time in which the two brothers were very close.

According to Sky News, Princess Diana wrote a series of six handwritten letters to Buckingham Palace head steward Cyril Dickman in the 1980s and 1990s. The letters were included in a collection of royal memorabilia that were up for auction in Cambridge. Chief auctioneers expressed that there was international interest in the collection, and therefore high demand. Sky News spoke with auctioneer Luke MacDonald, and he said:

"They give a more personal insight into the lives of the royals (that) perhaps we can relate to far more than the more formal times we see them in the press and on television. Her Royal Highness Princess Diana was adored by so many people. I think people feel that to actually have a letter, handwritten by her — it's something very special."

According to the BBC, the collection sold for £15,100 back in 2017 after receiving bids from interested buyers from Japan, Australia, and the United States. 

In 1984, just six days after Prince Harry was born in September, Princess Diana wrote a letter to Dickman explaining how Prince William was reacting to his new little brother. An excerpt of the letter read:

"William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near! The reaction to one tiny person's birth has totally overwhelmed us and I can hardly breathe for the mass of flowers that are arriving here!"

This individual letter sold for £3,200, despite having only a £400-600 estimated auction price.

Another one of the letters, from April of 1992, talked about how Prince Harry was always getting in trouble in boarding school. It read:

"The boys are well and enjoying boarding school a lot, although Harry is constantly in trouble!"

In the same year, Princess Diana's father passed away, and she wrote Dickman about the difficult time. The letter read:

"Thank you for thinking of us at this sad and difficult time... I miss my Father dreadfully."

In 1992 Dickman also retired, and Diana, of course, wrote about how much he would be missed as one of her stewards. She wrote:

"Cyril, you will be greatly missed by this particular Lady - thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind to me throughout the years and take great care of yourself, fondest love from Diana x."

What do you think of the revealing letter? Do you think Prince William and Harry will become close again? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to other royal fans you know!