Rare glimpse of Charles and Diana during happier times: Cards from late royal to fashion designer Bill Pashley show couple on honeymoon and doting on William and Harry

Cards from Princess Diana to friend and royal fashion designer Bill Pashley have revealed a rare insight into happier times during her marriage to King Charles.

The collection, which sold for £7,000, includes a light-hearted letter from the late royal, in which she joked about the Scottish climate turning her honeymoon light blue after a Balmoral trip.

It also includes photos of the beloved couple doting on their children: young Princes William and Harry.

Around August 1981, Diana wrote Bill a note to thank him for making outfits for her stay in Scotland, shortly after the couple returned from their honeymoon around the Mediterranean on Royal Yacht Britannia.

She recalled her wedding, just 19 days earlier, at St Paul's Cathedral, from which she could remember 'most of what happened'.

Diana also said she had trouble getting into her room because of boxes of skirts Bill had sent.

“When I came back here, it was difficult to get into my room because two huge boxes were blocking any access!” Diana wrote.

'A million thanks for making all the skirts and generally everything so quickly. They'll keep me busy for a while!

'Since our return I have remained pale blue from the cold while the places we went to were boiling and for once I have turned a decent tan!!

'I really hope you had a good view at St. Paul's (from the wedding), funnily enough I remember most of what happened!

'Dearest Bill, you are simply the nicest people to have done all my Scottish clothing and it is greatly appreciated.'

The letter, on Balmoral Castle stationery, was put up for auction by the family of Mr Pashley, who died in 2014.

In addition, there were thirteen royal Christmas cards that Diana sent to Bill from 1981 to 1994.

The festive greeting from 1981 includes a wedding photo of the happy newlyweds.

The cards for 1982 and 1984 feature images of Prince William as a baby and William and a newborn Prince Harry, respectively.

All cards feature photos of the family of four up to 1992 – the year it was announced that Charles and Diana were splitting up.

For 1993 and 1994, the Christmas cards only contained photos of Diana and her two boys.

The cards and two letters sold for more than £7,000 at Hansons Auctioneers of Etwall, Derbys.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: 'The strong results achieved by Christmas cards and a letter about the life and times of Diana, Princess of Wales underline her importance and enduring popularity.

“She was adored not only by this country, but by people all over the world. Her tragic death in a car accident in 1997 caused an extraordinary response and an outpouring of love.

'There is a deep fascination with her life and avid royalists will always want to own objects associated with her.'

Bill Pashley's other clients included Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and opera singers Dame Margaret Price and Dame Gwyneth Jones.

He came from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and studied at the Royal College of Art in London.