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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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