Letter from Diana to Aids patient auctioned

A letter written by Diana, Princess of Wales, to a man dying from Aids sold for £1,500 in an auction in Penzance.

In the letter to Michael Nanson in 1994, the princess praised the "courage and quiet strength" with which he coped with his illness.

Lay's Auctioneers in Cornwall had put a guide price of £2,000-£3,000 on the letter, which was auctioned on Thursday.

The auctioneers also offered photographic cards and letters from King Charles III sent to John Hitchings, the first land steward of the Duchy of Cornwall.

After hearing from Mr Nanson's sister, Princess Diana wrote a letter to him, which he received two months before he died.

On Kensington Palace-headed notepaper, she wrote: "It was so good to hear from her, because it has given me the opportunity to send you this brief note.

"Though inadequate, it comes with my thoughts and prayers - and the sure knowledge that your brave example will prove an inspiration to others."

The princess's visit to Middlesex Hospital in 1987 was credited with helping to challenge the belief that HIV or Aids could be transmitted by touch, after she shook hands with a man suffering from Aids.

Also for auction was a collection from John Hitchings LVO, who acted as the public face of the Duchy of Cornwall and was responsible for its land management.

His collection spans 1977 to 2019 and contains photographic cards that show the progression of much of King Charles' life, including his marriages and the births of his sons.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].