(15 Sep 1999) English/Nat
In a special one-off auction Guernsey's is offering for sale the jewels worn by Princess Diana on her last official engagement.
The sale is expected to bring more than 500,000 (US) dollars, a portion of which will go to the international charity UNICEF.
This could be the only time that the late princess's jewels are on the market, and Guernsey's says there is considerable interest in the diamond necklace and earrings.
A diamond and pearl necklace along with a pair of matching earrings will sell in a special one lot auction on December 16th.
But these jewels have a special significance, they were worn by the late Princess Diana at her last official engagement at the Royal Gala Performance of Swan Lake.
The Princess had the necklace made to her specifications by Garrard Jewellers, who were often referred to as "The Crown Jewellers".
On the necklace five matching South Sea cultured pearls adorn scores of diamonds.
After the Swan Lake Gala the necklace was returned to Garrard's so the jewellers could design matching earrings.
But the Princess would never wear the necklace again.
Three months later she was killed with her companion Dodi Fayed.
Shortly after her death a couple bought the jewels.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"A portion of the purchase price already went to the Princess Diana fund. It was this couple's decision that they would sell the jewels but have an additional portion of the new amount of money raised from the sale going to a different charity, UNICEF."
SUPER CAPTION: Arlen Ettinger, President, Guernsey's
The jewels are on display in New York and will travel to a select number of cities in the United States before going to the auction block.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
