One of many largest ever collections of Princess Diana’s possessions to hit the market smashed estimates and bought for a complete of $5.5 million, alongside different royal memorabilia, Los Angeles public sale home Julien’s Auctions introduced.
Composed of greater than 50 gadgets, the gathering featured a number of of Diana’s night robes, fits, footwear, hats and purses, in addition to private letters and images. Memorabilia that belonged to different members of the British royal household, similar to Queen Victoria, Princess Margaret and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, additionally shaped a part of the public sale, which closed Thursday.
A magenta silk and lace night robe, that includes an off-the-shoulder bodice and tiered skirt, worn by Diana twice in 1987, proved the costliest lot of the night time, promoting for $910,000, greater than 4 instances its estimate of $200,000. Its designer, Victor Edelstein, additionally created the well-known off-the-shoulder, midnight blue velvet night robe Diana wore whereas dancing with John Travolta on the White Home.
A pair of Diana’s emerald inexperienced satin Kurt Geiger pumps, that includes bejeweled bows on their vamps, bought for $390,000 – far above its estimated $2,000-$4,000 – whereas a midnight-blue tulle diamante star robe she wore a number of instances, together with to the premiere of “The Phantom of the Opera,” bought for $780,000.
It was not simply the late princess’ garments that bought for hundreds of {dollars}. A handwritten letter thanking Maud Pendrey, a former housekeeper on the Spencer household dwelling, for a marriage anniversary card bought for $44,450. Despatched whereas she was pregnant with Prince Harry, Diana mentions that “with the infant arriving quickly, our lives appear to be very busy, however we’d have it no different method!”
In the meantime, a diamond watch pendant given by King George VI to his daughter Princess Margaret fetched $78,000 on the public sale. It bears cipher of his father, King George V, and was made by Garrard – the jewelers who’ve produced a number of items for the royal household, together with Diana’s sapphire engagement ring.
A pair of the Duke of Windsor’s darkish inexperienced slippers, full with needlepointed monograms, bought for $5,850, whereas one among Queen Victoria’s embroidered silk handkerchiefs, relationship from 1840, bought for $1,625.
MORE: