Princess Diana's secret ballet school visits are revealed in never-before-seen ...

Princess Diana's secret ballet school visits are revealed in never-before-seen ...
Princess Diana's secret ballet school visits are revealed in never-before-seen ...

As a child she dreamt of being a classical dancer, modelling herself on the great ballerinas of the age. 

But despite her youthful promise, honed by hours of practise on the polished floors of Althorp, the family home, Princess Diana’s ambition was thwarted by growing too tall – and a teenage skiing accident.

She did, however, never lose her love of ballet and it remained a passion for the rest of her life.

Just how much it meant to her is revealed in a unique collection of photographs of Diana’s visits – both public and private – to the London City Ballet.

Princess Diana never lost her childhood love of ballet. Just how much it meant to her is revealed in a unique collection of photographs of Diana’s visits – both public and private – to the London City Ballet

Princess Diana never lost her childhood love of ballet. Just how much it meant to her is revealed in a unique collection of photographs of Diana’s visits – both public and private – to the London City Ballet

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Princess Diana's dream of becoming a ballerina thwarted by growing too tall – and a teenage skiing accident - despite hours of practise on the polished floors of Althorp, the family home

Princess Diana's dream of becoming a ballerina thwarted by growing too tall – and a teenage skiing accident - despite hours of practise on the polished floors of Althorp, the family home

The princess presided over glittering occasions around the world for the modest London City Ballet troupe, the first ballet company she patronised

The princess presided over glittering occasions around the world for the modest London City Ballet troupe, the first ballet company she patronised

These photos, which only came to light after South African-born choreographer Harold King's death after 70 last year,  are being sold by Colchester-based auctioneers Reeman Dansie, which specialises in royal memorabilia

These photos, which only came to light after South African-born choreographer Harold King's death after 70 last year,  are being sold by Colchester-based auctioneers Reeman Dansie, which specialises in royal memorabilia

From 1983 until her divorce from the Prince of Wales in 1996, when she relinquished most of her charities, the princess presided over glittering occasions around the world for the modest troupe, the first ballet company she patronised.

It was Harold King, a diminutive South African-born choreographer, who charmed Diana into joining his independent company.

And it is his photographs of their collaboration, which only came to light after his death aged 70 last year, that are being sold by Colchester-based auctioneers Reeman Dansie, which specialises in royal memorabilia.

The collection of photos which show Princess Diana at the London City Ballet's Covent Garden studio up for auction at Reeman Dansie Colchester

The collection of photos which show Princess Diana at the London City Ballet's Covent Garden studio up for auction at Reeman Dansie Colchester

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Princess Diana dreamt of being a classical dancer, modelling herself on the great ballerinas of the age as she was growing up

Princess Diana dreamt of being a classical dancer, modelling herself on the great ballerinas of the age as she was growing up

Princess Diana was first invited to the London City Ballet's Covent Garden studio by Harold King with a simple phone call to Buckingham Palace

Princess Diana was first invited to the London City Ballet's Covent Garden studio by Harold King with a simple phone call to Buckingham Palace

From 1983 until her divorce from the Prince of Wales in 1996, when she relinquished most of her charities, the princess presided over glittering occasions around the world for the modest troupe, the first ballet company she patronised

From 1983 until her divorce from the Prince of Wales in 1996, when she relinquished most of her charities, the princess presided over glittering occasions around the world for the modest troupe, the first ballet company she patronised

It was Harold King, a diminutive South African-born choreographer, who charmed Diana into joining his independent company. And these are his photographs of their collaboration

It was Harold King, a diminutive South African-born choreographer, who charmed Diana into joining his independent company. And these are his photographs of their collaboration

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Whenever Princess Diana had a spare moment she would drop in to the London City Ballet company's Covent Garden studio

Princess Diana at a glitzy event

Princess Diana observes rehearsals

Princess Diana presides over glittering occasions (left) around the world for the modest troupe, the first ballet company she patronised. The princess would drop in to the London City Ballet

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