Philip wrote ''cruel'' letters to Diana, inquest told

London, Jan 11 (UNI) Prince Philip sent ''cruel and derogatory'' letters to Princess Diana, her inquest heard.

Alternative therapist Simone Simmons, a close friend of Diana, said she was absolutely shocked after being shown the notes.

The inquest earlier saw extracts from affectionate correspondence between the princess and the Duke of Edinburgh, in which she addressed her father-in-law as ''dearest Pa'' and praised his ''great understanding and tact.'' But Miss Simmons told the London hearing how Diana revealed two ''nasty'' letters from him when they were chatting at her Kensington Palace home in 1995, the Daily Mail reported.

Miss Simmons said, ''Diana read one out to me. She was furious and she was imitating the voice of the Duke of Edinburgh.

''She said to me after reading the handwritten one 'what a cheek!' It was extremely derogatory to her and very cruel. It really upset her.'' She said the second letter, which was typed, was also ''exceedingly'' damaging.

''Diana was read in the face about the tone. She was livid. It touched her very deeply and closely.'' UNI XC SKB KN1921