Princess Diana’s Letters To AIDS Victim Surface 20 Years After Her Death

Princess Diana’s letters to an AIDS victim have just been released 20 years after her demise.

One year before her death, Margaret Bendon wrote a letter to Princess Diana seeking help on behalf of Vincent Hickey, who had AIDS and bowel cancer. The late princess’ personal assistant wrote back to Bendon and told her that Princess Diana was considering her request.

Days later, Princess Diana sent Hickey a letter with an enclosed check through Bendon. Princes William and Harry’s mom wrote to Bendon for a third time, and this letter has been kept inside a spiritual sanctuary in France.

In the letter, Princess Diana told Bendon that she’s grateful to be able to help her and her friend. She also told Bendon that she knows her request for financial support was a genuine one. The typewritten letter is dated Oct. 31, 1996. The words “Dearest Margarest” were written by the princess herself.

A copy of the Coutts & Co check also confirmed that Princess Diana’s donation came from the office of Prince Charles.

Princess Diana was renowned for her work with AIDS victims. Years ago, she opened the first purpose built HIV/AIDS unit at London Middlesex Hospital in the United Kingdom. The unit was built exclusively for the care of those infected with the disease.

The late princess also broke tradition when she shook hands with a man suffering from the illness in front of the media. During that time, Princess Diana wasn’t also wearing gloves, and she aimed to challenge the notion that HIV/AIDS can be passed by touch from one person to the next, according to BBC.

Meanwhile, some of the Princess Diana’s letters will be sold at an auction. Andrew Aldridge, an auctioneer, talked about the $4230 collection and said, “These include the finest content letters of Lady Diana known to exist. They demonstrate the empathy and generosity Diana was able to show some of the most vulnerable people in society.”

Princess Diana’s letters will be available for bidding on Feb. 24.