Following Princess Diana's tragic passing in 1997, Queen Elizabeth faced criticism for not mourning the loss publicly. Though Her Majesty did eventually make a speech about the Princess of Wales' death, the Royal Family kept their grief private from the public eye. A newly uncovered letter written by the Queen, however, sheds some light on how the monarch was really feeling during those dark days.
The Daily Mail obtained a letter written in response to a note of condolence sent to Queen Elizabeth by Lady Henriette Abel Smith, a lady in waiting and friend of Her Majesty. Most of the letter was typed, likely by one of Queen Elizabeth's courtiers, but there was a handwritten postscript included at the end. The letter was auctioned off following Lady Abel Smith’s passing back in 2005.
"It was indeed dreadfully sad, and she is a huge loss to the country,” the typed letter reads. “But the public reaction to her death, and the service in the Abbey, seem to have united people round the world in a rather inspiring way." She also praised Prince William and Prince Harry for being "so brave," adding that she was "very proud of them.”
Queen Elizabeth took the time to add a personal, handwritten note at the end for her friend, as well, which read: "I think your letter was one of the first I opened—emotions are still so mixed up but we have all been through a very bad experience."
A statue of Princess Diana, jointly commissioned by her sons, will be unveiled in the sunken gardens at Kensington Palace this summer. The monument is meant to "recognize her positive impact" on the world.
Photo: Getty