Princess Diana and Prince Charles were considered to be among the most controversial couples in modern royal history. The problems in their marriage would lead to their divorce in 1996, four years after their split was officially announced. During this time, the Prince of Wales would make the shocking confession that he had an affair during the breakdown of his marriage. The landmark admission sent ripples through the Royal Family, with it feared at the time that it could cost him the throne. Princess Diana also revealed that their relationship was a sham, famously stating: “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded”. Despite their best efforts to cover-up the failings of their partnership, it is now clear they were far from “fine” for a long time. And an unearthed Christmas card could reveal how the royals kept up appearances and pretended they were still one big happy family. 

“Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year”, the palace printed card read with a handwritten signature “from Charles and Diana” below.

Beside the red lettered words was a picture of the royal couple along with their two young sons William, roughly six, and Harry, around the age of four.

Prince Charles, who was dressed in red military regalia, had his arm on the shoulder of future King William, while Princess Diana, dressed all in white, sat on a bench with Prince Harry.

The 1988 photograph would appear to signify the makings of a happy family unit, but by then could the truth have been that it was far from the case? 

Heritage Auctions who have listed the Christmas card for their upcoming auction on April 22, claim there could be more behind the scenes.

Curtis Lindner, their historical expert, believes there could have been a very noble reason behind them maintaining a “happy facade” in the photograph.

He told Express.co.uk: “In 1988, the royal family did not like scandal, as we all know, and liked to keep things close to the vest.

“Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage seemed to be rocky from the very beginning, but at this time, they likely had to put on a good face like a lot of married couples do.

“They did this to keep press away, they went on and put on an air that everything was fine in their family, but it certainly wasn’t and obviously ended in divorce.

“Princess Diana did everything to protect her sons and this Christmas card, and others taken with Charles, probably gave the children security that their family was still together even though they likely were not.”

By this point in their marriage, while Prince Charles and Princess Diana “posed as a happy, carefree family”, they were allegedly “experiencing marital problems”.

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The couple were reportedly “living separately” at this point, with “Charles at Highgrove and Diana at Kensington Palace” but remained together.

Mr Lindner said: “You have to wonder if their marriage was a marriage of convenience and whether they really loved each other.

“Prince Charles always had a thing for Camilla despite being married to Diana that’s evident as he ended up marrying her.”

The signed Christmas card will go under the hammer with Heritage Auctions later this month and has an estimate of $1,500 (£1,200). 

Mr Linder explained that items by important figures whose lives were cut tragically short often receive a lot of interest and sell extremely well – for a shocking reason.

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He explained: “Princess Diana is an icon and her material is still very collectible.

“Despite the fact that she has been gone for more than 20 years, it still sells for a premium.

“Prince Diana’s death is like that of John F Kennedy and others, because it came with conspiracy theories.

“There are the questions of ‘Was this planned? And did someone purposely cause the accident?’ we would like to think it’s not true.

“With these types of deaths, there are always the ‘what ifs’ – ‘What if John F Kennedy or Martin Luther King lived? What about Princess Diana?’ 

“This is why people migrate towards items that she owned from pieces bearing her writing to a dress she wore and more.”

As Mr Lindner explains, Princess Diana is still a much loved figure to this day and remembered for her kindness – which led her to garner the name ‘the people’s Princess’. 

He added: “Diana was a very complicated and complex woman, I don’t know whether she really liked the spotlight.

“I think she wanted to be someone who stayed at home, did some good humanitarian work and was a very good mother.

“I’m sure she would have continued to do wonderful things and help people, it’s a tragic story that will never have an ending for, as we will never know.”

The Prince Charles and Princess Diana Christmas card, circa 1988, will go under the hammer on April 22 as part of the Historical Manuscripts Signature auction.

For more information visit: www.ha.com

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