"(The letters) are all basically asking for forgiveness," an unidentified friend of the Duchess told the tabloid London Sun. "She acknowledges that she has behaved badly in the past. She makes it very clear she wants to put the past behind her. She says it is time to forgive and forget."
The letters, which are reportedly "long, rambling and very emotional", were sent the week after Princess Diana's funeral. Not surprisingly, the recipients of the correspondence are said to be shocked. Royal watchers are seeing this as a bid to pave the way for a possible reconciliation with her ex-husband, the Duke of York.
On the other hand, it is entirely possible that Fergie - Weight Watchers spokeswoman and author of the children's book "Budgie the Helicopter" - might have simply been aiming at what Diana never got a chance to do: smooth things over with the relatives.