Diana's letters referring to mysterious 'she' to go under the hammer

London, Feb 11 (ANI): A letter, in which a young Princess Diana appears to be referring to her love rival Camilla Parker Bowles, is to be auctioned.

In the hand-written missive, sent to her step-mother Raine Spencer weeks before Prince Charles proposed, 19-year-old Diana talks about a mystery woman she deliberately chooses not to mention by name but instead calls "she".

It seems as if she had been wondering whether to go on a planned holiday to Australia and leave Charles on his own, presumably because she feels nervous about the presence of this other woman.

In her letter dated January 18 1981 the late Princess of Wales appears to have decided to go in the hope that absence will make their hearts grow fonder.

Just a few weeks later, on February 3, Prince Charles proposed. Diana duly flew off on her pre-planned trip five days later.

The letter also refers to her joy at being able to "slip" in and out of Sandringham, the Queen's private Norfolk estate, where the royal family were spending Christmas in order to spend time with her prince without the press or public knowing.

"Dearest Raine, what a touching letter you wrote to me," the Daily Mail quoted Diana as saying in the letter.

"It contained far too much praise which I'm sure I'm not due for.

"As you saw, I went to Sandringham and I arrived and left without being seen. I can't help but be pleased.

'Raine, you have been extremely kind and patient with all this and consequently I just wanted you to know how grateful I am.

"Thinking back to 'she'(!) of our conversations I think it's so right for me to go to Australia and not long, 2 1/2 weeks will do both of us good.

"Anyway, a million thanks for all your support and advice. I only hope that in the end we will all be able to smile. Lucky Daddy having you, much love from Diana," she said.

The intruiging letter will be sold as part of an Antiques and Collectables sale in Northamptonshire , where the Spencer family's Althorp Estate is.

In all, two letters are being sold by JP Humbert Auctioneers on behalf of a private seller who used to work for the Spencer family and said he had met Diana.

The first letter is sure to spark speculation about the identity of "she".

The most obvious candidate is Parker Bowles, now married to the prince who made her the Duchess of Cornwall, whose long-standing affair with Charles is believed to have gone on right up until his marriage.

There are also other, less likely candidates, such as his confidante Dale Tryon.

Another letter, written on headed notepaper just weeks before on December 28, 1980, thanks Raine for her gifts to Diana, saying everything is the "perfect colour" and she hopes to appear in a "vision of turquoise".

"I spent a very happy Christmas at Althorp and thoroughly enjoyed the company, food and the very great trouble to make the day a success.

"I am suffering from overeating and talking," she said.

The letter is at odds with her well-known hatred of her stepmother whom she named Acid Raine.

Both letters, written from 60 Coleherne Court in London, the flat Diana lived in before her marriage, are to go under the hammer in a sale on February 22 and 23. (ANI)