Princess Diana believed she was headed for a fairy-tale future with then-Prince Charles — until her dream unraveled. A letter from her honeymoon, now up for auction, reveals her thoughts on married life and her new role in the royal family.

Auction and Letter

Katherine Hanbury, a childhood friend of Princess Diana, is partnering with U.K.-based auction house Gorringe’s to auction photographs and letters, including ‘The Honeymoon Letter’, which the newly minted Princess of Wales wrote to her friend.

‘We had a blissful honeymoon with endless sun and luckily calm seas,’ Diana wrote. ‘We are now up in Scotland until the end of October, which is a big treat for us — I adore being outside all day & hate London! Its wonderful being married — I think its safe to say that after two months…!’

In the letter, Diana hinted at what it was like adapting to her new life as a member of the royal family, writing, ‘Its a case of playing with grown-ups!’

Childhood and Marriage

Hanbury described Diana as ‘good fun’ and ‘very ordinary’ — meant as a compliment. ‘She loved all the everyday girl things,’ Hanbury said. ‘She was very giggly, very caring. That’s my memory of her: a young girl who was absolutely delightful.’

Diana left West Heath at 16 and remained in touch with Hanbury. Charles and Diana didn’t begin dating until 1980. The couple married on July 29, 1981.

After welcoming two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, the couple announced their separation in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 1996. Less than a year later, on Aug. 31, 1997, Diana died after suffering injuries in a car crash in Paris.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.