PRINCESS DIANA LETTER AUCTIONED FOR 800 GBP

LATE Princess Diana was truly a people’s princess, who is still popular with the same epithet, even after more than ten years of her death. Her belongings have been treated as souvenirs, with fans ready to shell out millions for them.

Since her untimely, tragic death in 1997, her items have been auctioned to collect donations for charity. The princess, before her death, used to work tirelessly for several charity organisations across the world, including those in poverty ridden Africa and developing Asia.

In one such auction, a thanksgiving letter written by Diana to her friend, fetched 800 pounds. The letter was written to Bruce Oldfield and business partner Anita, on December 20, 1988, to express her thanks for the blouse she got tailored for herself from the designer friend. The auction was organised during a show on the popular BBC programme, BBC2 Show, for a charity firm, Bernado’s, working for the welfare of children.
 

“I do love my Christmas present and how smart it is. You are incredibly kind to have given it to me and I am overwhelmed and speechless (makes a change!) by the arrival. I have never been able to keep a parcel until the right day so I fear I’ve opened it immediately. Thank you both more than I can possibly say for thinking of me. Lots of love from Diana,” she wrote in the letter.

The designer Bruce who too was raised in Bernado’s, was euphoric with the response generated by the letter. He said, “It’s wonderful that they made such a staggering amount.” He further added “I’m sure Princess Diana would be pleased that a simple card and thank you letter would help to support a charity of which she was president.”

 

Starting from the mid eighties, until her death, she had tirelessly worked for AIDS awareness, under privileged children, leprosy, women empowerment, welfare of the elderly and the youth.  MeriNews Source.

The prettiest in PINK!

RELAXED AND CASUAL

Gorgeous!

Dazzling Diana photos from the Christie’s Hardcover Auction Catalogue

http://www.princessdianabookboutique.com/store/products/details/?product=53

One of the rare Terence Donovan Portraits

Renewed interest in Princess Diana’s 1980’s clothing!

With the resurgence of interest in the various 1980’s whimsically designed sweaters and other clothing of Princess Diana, we are excited to announce that we will soon be offering limited quantities of some of the more popular items such as the Red Sheep Black Sheep Sweater and its variations (a really neat black one with red and white sheep!) as well as a couple other sweaters she made popular in the 1980’s.  We will also have other replica clothing items as well.  We have had numerous requests for the sheep sweater and if there are other items you are searching for please let us know!  We will do our best to locate them for you!

 Stay tuned to the Princess Diana Book Boutique for more items under the new category – Princess Diana Replica Sweaters/Clothing!

www.princessdianabookboutique.com

Royal Shopping Guide

 

This unique out of print book gives one a guided tour of over 300 British shops and manufacturers who provide the Royal Family, by appointment, with everything from nightware to dog kennels to champagne.  Whether you would like to live like a Queen or dress like a princess this book shows you how.  For those of you interested in where Diana shopped – where she bought the red sheep sweater and other items – this book tells you.  Informative and largely forgotten book on Royal Shopping – included with photos throughout.

http://www.princessdianabookboutique.com/store/products/details/?product=3038

The Bill Pashley Tweed Hunting Suit

This tweed sports suit, worn for the famous photo shoot in the grounds of Balmoral, was made for Princess Diana’s honeymoon by designer Bill Pashley. Two copies were made and Diana chose the larger one as there was more room in the shoulders for shooting. The Princess of Wales asked Mr Pashley not to make the design for anyone else. He kept his word and stored the smaller unworn suit in a cupboard in his studio, only rediscovering it during a clean-out earlier this year. The designer generously donated the ensemble to Historic Royal Palaces. It is rare to find an informal outfit created for the Princess of Wales in a public collection: most are evening dresses.    UK Independent

The Klondike Dress and Hat!

Princess Diana’s Klondike Ensemble is a Pink/Peach Silk Period Dress and Hat in the style of 1880 worn by her during a Royal Tour to Canada in 1983. The dress is a form-fitting princess line gown of wild silk, with swagged overskirt ruched at sides and back to reveal a silk lace flounced underskirt and back train; the lace is repeated at the collar, bodice jabot and cuffs. The dress also contains interior bodice boning. The hat consists of cream petal straw trimmed with period velours au sabre silk ribbon, silk flowers and pearl sprigs. Both the dress and hat are currently in excellent condition. Princess Diana wore the dress and hat June 1983, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at a Klondike period gala event. The event was part of the Prince and Princess’s Canadian Royal Tour of that year. In need of an appropriate gown for the occasion, she chose this one from a selection of period pieces brought to her at Kensington Palace by Oscar-winning costume designer John Bright, at whose studio, Cosprop, the dress was made. This dress, which Diana mischievously chose, was first worn by Francesca Annis in the 1978 mini-series “Lillie” (Lillie Langtry (“Lillie”), along with Prince Charles’s mistress Camilla Parker Bowles’s great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, had both been mistresses of Charles’s great-great grandfather Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales in the late 1800’s [98]).

Linda Mattock [77] had designed this dress as a “Langtry” dress, exemplifying the essence of Lillie’s style. Diana then had the Klondike dress personally fitted on her by Mr. Bright and he altered it to her measurements. Mr. Bright also designed and made the hat specifically for Diana to wear with the dress. After Princess Diana wore the dress and hat, John Bright stored them until they were sold in association with Bonham’s of London to Dr. Michael H. Smith for the benefit of MediCinema (a charitable organization that enhances the care of hospital patients by providing free film screenings to them and their families) [66]. The dress is currently on loan to Kensington Palace. The fairy-tale princess-like Klondike dress and hat is one of Diana’s most published ensembles, with pictures or articles of her wearing it appearing in over 100 publications, including books, newspapers, magazines, CD ROMs, web pages, postcards and videos.

NEW MEMORIAL DVD ON PRINCESS DIANA

We have just come across the dvd of the 10th memorial anniversary movie done on the last year of her life.  It is well done with historical footage and good acting, unlike many that were done in years past.

158 MINUTES OF HER LAST YEAR AND THE FINAL HOURS IN PARIS

COMMENTARY ON THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE IS INCLUDED

AS WELL, AS THIS DVD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BANNED.

SUPERBLY ACTED AND WITH HISTORICAL FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN THE MOVIE

FORMAT IS NTSC BUT IF YOU HAVE A MULTI REGION DVD PLAYER IT WILL WORK 

THIS DVD IS NOW OUT OF STOCK AND NOT BEING SOLD AGAIN!

http://www.princessdianabookboutique.com/store/products/details/?product=3027

AND MORE DRESSES FOR YOU FASHION FANS!

SOME MORE FASHION PHOTOS!

FIRST COUTURE ITEM OF LADY DIANA GOES UP FOR AUCTION

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE PINK BLOUSE IS GOING UP FOR AUCTION?  IT IS THE FIRST BLOUSE THAT WAS A COUTURE ITEM THAT DIANA WORE FOR HER FIRST ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SHOOT. AND, IT WAS A BORROWED ITEM THAT SHE NEVER OWNED!   KEEP WATCHING THE BLOG FOR DETAILS THAT ARE COMING! 

Wedding Dress Miniature to be auctioned!

October 3, 2008

Elizabeth Emanuel, who gained notoriety for designing Princess Diana’s wedding dress, has announced that she will auction the pink chiffon blouse she loaned to Lady Diana Spencer for a Vogue Magazine photo shoot shortly before Diana became engaged to Prince Charles in 1980.

The chiffon blouse, designed by Emanuel, was worn by Lady Diana for a portrait taken by Lord Snowdon, and led Diana to purchase a black dress from the design shop, which she wore on her first official royal public engagement. Diana later requested that Emanuel and her former husband, David Emanuel design her wedding dress.

The distinctive pink blouse was loaned to Vogue Magazine after the publication called the Emanuels and asked if they had a blouse with a very high neck that they would be willing to lend to a “very famous personality.” The magazine did not reveal the wearer at that time, but the couple were thrilled to learn that it was Lady Diana who would appear in their creation.

Emanuel says that financial difficulties are the reason she’ll be auctioning off the blouse, along with a collection of about 200 other garments designed for celebrities, including dresses worn by actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Helena Bonham Carter. In addition, a 16-inch miniature version of Diana’s wedding dress made from the same material as the dress itself, will also be included in the auction. Emanuel had hoped to avoid auctioning the collection, but investments in a planned business venture did not materialise as she had hoped, and she says that her situation forces the auction.  weddingblog.au feature!

SOME RARE PHOTOS OF DIANA

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

 

 one of our reader’s favorite posts is back again this year!     Enjoy!

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU COLLECTING ON DIANA? SOME OF OUR LATEST FINDS!

Like many collectors, we spend a lot of time searching for Diana items.  Our collecting has taken us as far as India, Japan and South America.  Not surprisingly, most of our searches end up in the UK as many of the publications, books, photos and other memorabilia originated there.  We have recently collected some unusual items and are constantly surprised how many different ways her image was used on various media.  Here are some of our most recent finds!  We look forward to seeing your posts on some of your Diana collections!   More on this topic in the future!

Princess Diana’s Ancestral Home Althorp inspires a new furniture line in the USA

 

A housewalk in northwest suburban Inverness on Friday is co-sponsored by Honquest Furniture in Barrington, which is presenting a new furniture line that includes replicas of antiques at Althorp, the 500-year-old Spencer family home in England. Eighteen generations of the Spencer family have resided in the 90-room mansion, which is loaded with vintage paintings, furniture, china, and sculpture.

Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, was recently in a furniture store in Tampa, Fla., in a promotion for Althorp furniture.

“When we were children, visiting our grandfather at Althorp, they were just [furniture] pieces,” said Spencer about the heirlooms amassed by 18 generations before him. “We weren’t allowed to touch them,” he told the Tampa Tribune.

“I’ve relaxed the rules. I’ve got six kids — which I don’t think is bad as a Protestant — and they have the run of the home.”

That policy led to one accident at the mansion. Years ago, his daughter, Kitty, now 17, dropped a tobacco box that had belonged to Admiral Lord Nelson, the Napoleonic war hero who died in 1805.

“It smashed,” Spencer said.

Spencer’s sister was the late Princess Diana, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1997. His appearance at the Tampa store included one strict rule: no questions about Diana. Diana’s image doesn’t appear on any of the Althorp furniture promotional brochures.

Charles became the Ninth Earl in 1992, and he considers himself merely the caretaker of Althorp.

“Ask any of the occupants of Britain’s great country houses what their greatest challenge is and they will — early on — touch on the responsibility they feel for preserving their heritage,” says Spencer in promotional material for Althorp Furniture. “But first and foremost, Althorp isn’t a museum, it’s still a home,” he said. The home is open for touring at times.

“In common with the majority of those entrusted with such duties, I view my role primarily as custodian rather than owner,” said the 40-year-old Spencer. “I would be proud if, in my final days, I felt I was handing Althorp on to my heir in a better state than in which I had inherited it,” be said.

Maintenance, insurance and staff costs about $1 million annually.

Another famous Spencer was Lady Georgiana Spencer, who is the subject of a new movie, “The Duchess,” starring Keira Knightley.   Sun Times – Chicago.

DIANA’S CHARITY WORK LIVES ON

 

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund is today delighted to announce the launch of its new learning and evaluation framework.

The Fund has developed its learning and evaluation framework to capture and share learning with other funders and organisations. In continuing its support and guidance to the sector, the Fund will host interactive events and talks, commission research and publish findings aimed at leaving a lasting legacy of social change.

Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund says,

“It is with great pleasure that this new focus of our work is launched today. In continuing the humanitarian work of Diana, Princess of Wales, we want to have a lasting impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised. With the right focus, evaluation can challenge and change existing practice and, in turn, ensure that the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund’s grants totalling £100 million over 11 years to 350 organisations continues to provide lasting improvements for some of the world’s most disadvantaged individuals.”

Click here for more information about the Fund’s learning and evaluation framework and approach

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A COPY OF THE 1997 DIANA’S WORLD MAGAZINE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE —> www.princessdianabookboutique.com

email:  theprincessisin@princessdianabookboutique.com

It is hard to think of Althorp without immediately connecting this beautiful Northamptonshire estate with Diana, Princess of Wales; whether it be her hunted life, her tragic death or the emotional time when crowds watched her funeral cortege winding through the gates to carry her body to a final resting place.

But there was a time before Diana.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Althorp; the Spencer family home first bought by wealthy sheep farmer Sir John Spencer and passed down to 18 further generations.

And today marks the launch of a new exhibition entitled The Spencers at Althorp: 500 years of family history, which includes a display of historic images and artefacts highlighting some of the most influential people in the house’s past.

The exhibition of eight display pods – each focusing on a different member of the Spencer family – was put together by project managers Anne Fletcher and Oriel Wilson.

Earl Spencer said: “It was difficult to know where to start, but we wanted to bring the house alive with the people who have passed through here.

“Getting it down to eight people was complicated as hundreds of people have lived here over the 500 years.

“But you have people like the first Duchess of Marlborough, who was incredibly important.

By leaving her personal wealth to my family she took us from being rich farmers to wealthy, important people.

“Then there is Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. There is about to be a big film coming out about her and we thought people would be able to connect with that in a straightforward way.”

The final display in the saloon area of the house brings the story of the Spencers up to date, with a family album displayed to the public for the first time.

It includes photographs of the present Earl Spencer as a boy at Althorp, together with his sisters.

Earl Spencer said: “My job for the future of Althorp is to keep it going and make sure it is in good condition.

“There is a lot of work to do to the house and it has great maintenance needs, but it has to be somewhere my family wants to come to, as a family home and not just historical rooms.

“By bringing alive some of my ancestors in this way, I hope that our visitors will get a better understanding of how their personal tastes, activities and interests have made this wonderful house what it is today and will be able to see the central role they have played in shaping our history.”

The exhibition can be seen throughout this summer season at Althorp, which runs until August 30. For more information log onto www.althorp.com

A lock of Nelson’s hair
This lock of Horatio Nelson’s hair is displayed as part of the exhibition relating to George John, the second Earl Spencer who had been First Lord of Admiralty in 1794.

As an influential man, George John had promoted Nelson to take command of the English fleet.

When Admiral Lord Nelson lost his life at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, a lock of his hair was sent to the Spencer family.

George John, who lived between 1758 and 1834, is also well known because of his obsession with collecting rare books.

During his lifetime he turned eight rooms at Althorp into a library of 43,000 books. His habit nearly bankrupted the family and eventually they had to sell the London boroughs of Wandsworth, Battersea and Putney to pay the debts.

Marie Antoinette’s chocolate set
Included in the exhibition section relating to Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, is a set of dainty cups and plates which once belonged to Marie Antoinette.

Georgiana (1757-1806), who is to be played by actress Keira Knightley in a film to be released this year, was notorious for gambling and ran up enormous debts.

She also had a series of affairs and, when she fell pregnant, she was sent to France to have the child secretly.

While there, she became friends with queen Marie Antoinette, who presented her with a chocolate set.

Family photo album
An album of photos, depicting the current Earl Spencer with his sisters Diana, Jane and Sarah, is also on display as part of the exhibition.

These never before seen photographs show this generation of Spencers during their childhood at Althorp between 1964 and 1969.

They were taken by the 8th Earl Spencer, their father, who was known to be a talented photographer.

Sedan chair, used by Georgiana, the first Countess Spencer
This chair, which dates from 1760, was once used by Georgiana to travel around London while staying at the family’s home in London, Spencer House.

Georgiana and the first Earl Spencer John married secretly in the Oak bedroom at Althorp.

As a love token to his wife, and to demonstrate his importance, he built Spencer House, which is still owned by the family today.  NorthHampton Chronicle and Echo – UK

 

 

10 CARD SET OF ALTHORP WITH CASE

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220307591443&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=012

AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE LEATHER BOUND CHRISTIE’S CATALOGUE FROM THE 1997 DRESS SALE OF PRINCESS DIANA’S DRESSES!

For all our avid Princess Diana collectors, we offer this exclusive look at the Violet Leather Bound Christie’s Auction Catalogue – one of 250 ever published and SIGNED by Princess Diana at the time of the June 1997 sale of her dresses in New York.   Pictures speak louder than words, and, if ever there were an investment piece in Princess Diana collectibles, this has to be the ultimate item! 

 

 

THIS ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE CATALOGUE IS FOR SALE AND ITS PROVENANCE IS IMPECCABLE!

THESE ARE ACTUAL PHOTOS OF THE CATALOGUE.

#166 of 250 signed – we also have #239 of 250 signed available as well.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILS. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE. 

EMAIL: theprincessisin@princessdianabookboutique.com

 

Diana the Athlete

Princess Diana was well known for her athletic prowess.  Here she is in an early, undated photo, skiing long before whe was married.  We will have more rare, athletic photos of her coming soon!  Plus, an update soon on rare collectibles we are finding!  

FORMER KENSINGTON PALACE CHEF TO SELL MEMENTOS

PRINCESS DIANA PORTRAITS

ISRAEL ZOHAR PORTRAIT

Protected: Diana at Christmas

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More Diana holiday photos. . .

FIRST CHRISTMAS AS PRINCESS OF WALES

TURNING ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – REGENT STREET, LONDON

And more holiday photos!

And we’ve got more holiday photos coming up soon so stay tuned!

Diana’s 1995 Christmas Card

The 1995 Christmas Card from Diana and her two sons.  We will attempt to show all the Christmas Cards here from our collection shortly.  Enjoy!

1992 Christmas Card from our Collection

PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WERE FEATURED ON THE CHRISTMAS CARD THE YEAR THE SEPARATION WAS ANNOUNCED BUT WAS SIGNED BY BOTH THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS IN 1992.

1986 Christmas Card Family Photo Snap

1988 Christmas Card at Highgrove – rarely seen!

1990 Christmas Card

Charles and Diana Christmas Service 1981

1983 Christmas Card

Prince Charles’ Farmhouse in Wales

The Prince of Wales acquired the old Welsh Farmhouse in 2008 and it is of modest design both inside and out.  Furnished in traditional welsh rugs, wall coverings and pottery it is to be used as a base for his travels in Wales.  The farm complex will be available for rentals when he is not in residence. The Royal Bedroom below is furnished with welsh blankets and rugs.

Rarely seen Oil Painting of Princess Diana in Wedding Dress 1981

This rarely seen portrait was commissioned by Prince Charles after their 1981 nuptials – it is said that it was his favorite picture of Diana in her wedding dress and he had an oil painting done of it that is still in his private collection – The portrait is nearly two metres high.

RARE PHOTO OF AN EXPECTANT DIANA

The Black Engagement Dress

A recent rare collectible on Diana

One of our recent finds on Diana’s death in 1997!  We believe it to be a UK publication.

More rare collectibles on Princess Diana

We have been in the business of collecting Princess Diana ephemera for 29 years.  From time to time we will showcase some of the more rare items we have found.  The two featured here are a book of poems from India and a remembrance DVD. 

Yet one more RARE collectible…

This is one of the most rare items on Princess Diana in terms of collectibles from her death.  It was published in Europe in 1997-1998 and there is nothing like it.  We searched high and low for it and we offer it for sale so if you are interested please contact us.  Lovely softcover sticker book commemorating her life through all its stages.  Complete and intact and we know of no other place to find it!

The Black White Gown from the trip to Saudi Arabia

Photos of the Princess we love!

The Green Unseen Gown

Victor Edelstein designed this emerald ballgown with a capsule of satin forming a bustle in back.. Diana wore it for one of her formal portraits. It has really never been seen in a full photo as she never wore it publicly. 

Purple Velvet Gown from Portugal Tour

The gown was designed by Bruce Oldfield and worn by Diana in November 1988 to the  Bruce Oldfield Gala held at Grosvenor House.  Matching velvet shoes were made for the gown.

Also worn in 1987 to Portugal on an official tour.

 

NAVY BLUE COCKTAIL DRESS

This is another Catherine Walker design worn in 1989 during a trip to Hong Kong.  Rarely seen afterwards.  Knee length with gorgeous jeweled button detailing and satin accents.

Blue White Floral Strapless Gown

This strapless floral gown was also designed by Catherine Walker. Diana wore it for the famous dance in OZ with Charles at Melbourne in 1988 and also at the premiere of Crocodile Dundee.  It was recently on display in Florida and it surprisingly has a baby pink background when seen up close.  The bright colors have faded over the years, but a stunning dress.

Thailand Ball Gown

The Thailand Ball Gown is by Catherine Walker and was designed for the Thailand tour in 1988 -colors being in tribute to that country. She did wear it one more time in 1989 before it went to auction in 1997.

The Revenge: Christina Stambolian Dress

Often referred to as the revenge dress, Diana wore this to the Serpentine Gallery the night Charles was interviewed by Jonathan Dimbleby on UK television.  

Sexy, confident, black and figure tight she knocked his admission of adultery right off the front pages of the UK papers the next day.  You can see why.

Green Sequin Gown

The Blue green ruched gown embroidered by Jacob Schlaepfer. Split to the knee it has been on display at Kensington Palace.

The Red & Black Flamenco Dress

More Gowns!

Fuschia Dress

WORN ON THE STATE VISIT TO THAILAND IN 1988

Sari Dress

Grey Sari Dress

For more Dress photo books please check our store:

www.princessdianabookboutique.com

Diana Look A Like in Australia

Daily Telegraph Sydney Australia

 

IT was during a trip to Madrid last year that Gules D’Orsi realised just how much she looked like a certain famous someone.

“I was in Plaza Mayor and a homeless man came up to me and started screaming,” she giggled.

“He was screaming, so loudly, `Diana, you’re not dead!’ - over and over again.

“Everyone stopped and stared.”

But Gules (pronounced “Jules”) is not deliberately going for the look, despite appearances to the contrary.

The Adelaide University psychology student, who also works at David Jones, discovered her iconic look after a bit of trial and error.

“I never really had a hairstyle so I was just experimenting and started wearing it short,” she said.

“Straightaway, people said I looked like Princess Diana and I thought that’s cool, but I’m not consciously trying to look like her.

“I’m just really comfortable dressed like this, even though I do get stares.

“I cop so much for my hair.

“Women come up and take pictures of me and ask if they can put them on Facebook.

“I get the occasional idiot but it’s usually women and they’re lovely.”

Ms D’Orsi, 25, is a little young to remember much about the early days of the princess, but she doesn’t mind the comparisons.

“It’s lovely and always a compliment,” she said.

“I was always a tomboy, but I got to a point where I knew I had to present myself better. I used to be a major dag.

Early photos of Diana

The Princess’ Dior Bag is still in style!

The Lady Dior makes a cool comeback, writes DAZMAN MANAN.

WHILE its ladylike vibes may not exactly appeal to the modern and edgy IT girls of today, Lady Dior has nevertheless managed to find its way into their cool closets.

Mischa Barton was recently spotted carrying her oversized patent version with frayed, skinny jeans, peasant blouse and canvas sneakers lending her boho-chic look a touch of elegance.

Sarah Jessica Parker was probably channelling her Carrie Bradshaw character when she was photographed in a woollen skullcap, sporty sunglasses and a classy, black lambskin Lady Dior.

Refreshingly fashionable, Barton and Parker’s quirky pairings of the utterly sophisticated bag has guaranteed the Lady Dior a cool comeback.

Launched in September 1995, the Lady Dior bag was given to the late Diana, Princess of Wales by former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac, on the occasion of her visit to the Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, sponsored by the LVMH group.
The house of Dior’s latest creation was immediately adopted by the Princess, who ordered every available version and colour including a black crocodile, a pink ostrich and a black satin with diamante-studded charms.

In November 1995, during her visit to a children’s home in Birmingham, Diana was photographed by the international press with the bag, holding a child in her arms. That was the beginning of a success story for the coveted carrier.

A few weeks later, during a state visit to Argentina, she again appeared with her favourite bag leaving the official plane. The bag was from then on associated with the world’s most photographed woman. In 1996, as a homage to the Princess, it was renamed Lady Dior with her blessing.

Created in a couture spirit, the square, structured carrier in padded stitched leather reflects a number of the Dior house codes. The stitching pattern or cannage is inspired by the Napoléon III chairs once used by Christian Dior to welcome his elegant customers on the day of his runway show in 1947. The letters D.I.O.R. on charm pendants act as an eternal signature.

Apart from Hollywood celebrities, the iconic bag has been seen on the arms of French First Lady Carla Bruni, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, French actress Marion Cotillard and Datuk Michelle Yeoh.   New Strait Times.

THE WHITE HOUSE DANCE DRESS WITH JOHN TRAVOLTA

Diana as a child at Park House

Coral Sequin Gown c. 1984

We have had this photo in our archives for some time.  Worn in London c. 1984 or perhaps later but we have lost the information on it.  Appears to be a coral sequinned gown with shimmer bodice.

DIANA IN HER RED CROSS UNIFORM

 

RARE PHOTO OF DIANA IN THE ONLY UNIFORM SHE EVER WORE.  RED CROSS UNIFORM AS PATRON OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS.  C. 1987

The AquaMarine Blue Topaz Ring and Bracelet

Worn after her separation/divorce it was seen in public several times before she died.

The Last Summer in the Riviera

More summer photos from the Riviera

Holiday for Diana Fans!

Singles Holiday for Diana Fans
uk Daily Mail

The cult worship of Princess Diana’s memory shows no sign of abating as a ‘Remembering Diana’ holiday is launched for solo travellers.

Remembered: Princess Diana has become a revered figure

Fans of the Princess of Wales – who died 12 years ago – can visit Althorp, the Spencer family home in Northamptonshire and Diana’s former residence at Kensington Palace in London.

Launched by ‘Good Companions’, an offshoot of Glenton Holidays, the five-day escorted tour is based at the Grade II listed Eynsham Hall near Oxford, a manor house set in 3,000 acres of gardens and parkland.
 
Good Companions coordinator Norma Howe said: ‘The Diana holiday was an idea from a customer, so we’re delighted to be able to include it for the first time.

‘Even 12 years on from her tragic death, many people still want to pay homage to Diana.’

  ’Remembering Diana, Princess of Wales’ costs from £279 and leaves on August 3 from Scotland.

The price includes B&B accommodation, dinner, return coach travel and travel insurance plus entrance tickets.

There is no single room supplement.

For more information, call 08000 24 24 24 or visit www.glentonholidays.com.

Rare Black & White Portrait of Diana

Diana’s Summer Holiday

BOW AND TIES RED DRESS

IN A CLOUD OF TULLE – WEDDING DRESS PORTRAIT

FEMALE FORCE COMING TO PRINCESS DIANA BOOK BOUTIQUE SOON

 

As featured on CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, PEOPLE, and OK! Magazine! Princess. Public Figure. Philanthropist. Parent. Diana, Princess of Wales emerged in the early 1980s as a fresh face to the stoic British monarchy with a storybook wedding, but later a tabloid breakup a modern British woman and admirable icon to not only England, but the world! We will be taking orders for this next week – please contact us to reserve a copy!

theprincessisin@princessdianabookboutique.com

Chris Arrant comes to the Princess Diana Book Boutique Blog!

 

CHRIS ARRANT PRESENTS PRINCESS DIANA’S STORY

BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO
Although a lot of people know Chris Arrant for his writing about the comic medium, he’s also been writing comics for several years. But nothing as high profile as getting the chance to tell the story of Diana Princess of Wales for the Female Force Princess Diana issue. He told us what it was like working on Diana’s life story, and the challenges of fitting everything he wanted to into the special.

THE PULSE: Most people might know you for your comics reporting, but you’ve written a few comics before the Female Force Princess Diana, right?

CHRIS ARRANT: Writing has been something I’ve always wanted to do ‘ all the way back to a small-press comic I did during high school in the mid-90s called CCU Presents. But yes, I’m primarily known for comics reporting ‘ which I’ve been doing regularly since 2003.

I’ve been working on comics for some time, but only in recent years has it reached fruition. I went to school for illustration and have some half-aborted comics projects, but it really started coming together for me in 2006. It was that that year I self-published an anthology called Four Stories with four stories (duh!) written by me and illustrated by 4 artists: Joanna Estep, Eric Adams, Jessica Hickman and Matt Bayne. I self-published 500 copies and gave it out as freebies at San Diego Comicon and it really opened doors for me.

I followed that up with a webcomic called 1 Way Ticket with artist Dan Warner. While it’s currently on hiatus, it really taught me a lot of valuable lessons ‘ lessons I put to use in my comics writing and reporting, and ones I hope to put to use when Dan and I get a chance to finish that story.

Self-publishing Four Stories and 1 Way Ticket got me the attention of the editors of Negative Burn, 24Seven Vol. 2 and Comic Book Tattoo ‘ all of which I had short stories published in.

After those were all published, I approached several publishers about doing longer work ‘ I love doing anthology work, but I really wanted to sink my teeth into larger work. I have several creator-owned projects I’m trying to get off the ground, and while that is being developed I hooked up with Darren Davis at Bluewater Productions. Because of my journalism background, he thought I’d be a good match to do one of the Female Force one-shots and I chose Diana, Princess of Wales as my subject.

THE PULSE: Speaking of your journalism background, how do you keep that side of your work different from the comic writing bit? I mean, every time you do a story with a publisher you work with now, are you worried people might think there is some kind of bias?

ARRANT: This is something I’m highly aware of, and I have talks with all my editors about it ‘ both my comics journalism editors Matt Brady (Newsarama), Rhett Thomas (Marvel’s Marvel Spotlight) and Calvin Reid (PW Comics Week); as well as my actual comic editors —- in this case Darren at Bluewater, and formerly Rantz Hoseley at Comic Book Tattoo and Ivan Brandon at 24Seven Vol. 2.

I actively endeavor to keep my comics writing separate from my comics journalism ‘ going to the extent of avoid covering an entire company if I’m actively writing for them, and after if I do cover them in comics journalism I try to put in a disclaimer.

My comics editors have been really great though ‘ no one’s asked for any favors or ‘ins’ at the news sources I write for. At most, I maybe assist on marketing strategy ideas for the books I’m working on. That’s what my day job is anyway ‘ I own a marketing & graphic design firm here in Florida.

Am I worried people might feel there is some kind of bias? It does enter my mind, but if I spent too much time worrying about what other people think then I’m not working. I try to be completely frank with my editors, and we work it out together.

THE PULSE: Sounds like you got it covered. So did you have a choice out of the Female Force to work on? If so, why choose Princess Diana?

ARRANT: Yes, Darren presented several different options inside the Female Force line and I ultimately decided upon Princess Diana. Darren puts a lot of thought into who to cover – and who not to cover in the FF series – but I thought that Diana would be right up my alley. It took a couple days of thinking to get my head into it, but after reading some essays and watching some videos it really sunk in that doing a commemorative biography of Diana Princess of Wales would be ideal for me.

THE PULSE: Did you know a lot about Princess Diana or did you start to discover more about her after she was killed like a lot of us?

ARRANT: Prior to working on this book I had only read one book on Diana. Several years ago I read Andrew Morton’s book on Diana after her death. I was fascinated by the celebrity status she attained and the tragic ending of her life. My mother was a lifelong fan of her work, but it wasn’t until I read Diana Her True Story that I could see why people grew so attached to her.

THE PULSE: What were some of the things you were surprised to learn about Princess Diana?

ARRANT: Princess Diana’s life was many things, but I was most surprised by is the amazing amount of willpower and intelligence she showed. Although she has famously called herself “thick as a plank” and is haunted by low scores in school, Diana’s ability to talk, negotiate and maneuver in the company she kept of royals, politicians and celebrity showed amazing tenacity and resourcefulness. Diana took the mantle of princess and broadened it to speak on important issues she saw in her travels, and forced the public to speak about such formerly taboo things such as AIDS.

And personally, her “comeback” after the very public divorce with Prince Charles was amazing. In examining her life as a whole I’m amazed by the flow of her life which simulated a three-act structure of a great play.

THE PULSE: So how did you figure out what to include here and what needed to be left out? After all you only had so many pages to tell your story ….

ARRANT: After Bluewater Publisher Darren and I agreed on the tone of the book, I wrote a very detailed timeline of all the events in Diana’s life, from her birth to the day of her funeral. All in all it amounted to over 300 entries into this timeline, and then around that I began identifying themes and narratives that were inherent in the course of her life. After all that was done, I pinpointed all of the must-have moments of the book – both in imagery and in substance, that really define Diana’s life. Using those moments, I did a very rough breakdown of the 22-pages into 1-page increments and used that as a roadmap to what the final book turned out to be.

My wife will tell you I’m all about using analogies to describe something, so imagine writing this book as if you’re planning a road trip. You have X days and you know what your big destination is, but you also look for smaller things to see on your way to and from the big destination. And along the way you might see something you hadn’t planned on and decide to stop, which is exactly what happened when writing the final script. Along the way there were two spots were I went off my outline to include some moments that were originally on the cutting room floor.

THE PULSE: Like what? What are some things we might see here that haven’t been too touched upon?

ARRANT: Well, Diana’s life has been covered in a number of articles, books, television series and movies so I can’t claim that I found any new territory. But in chronicling the defining moments of Diana’s life, the themes that began to appear really pushed me as a writer to explore the more personal side of her life, especially her interactions with her former husband and children. I strove to get to the bottom of why Diana might’ve fallen for Charles in the first place – was it because he was a Prince, or was their a real connection there?

And with her children, the fact that she was a mother was well-known but getting past all the lights and media scrutiny, I researched very in-depth to discover and portray the real moments between a mother and her sons that some people might not know about.

THE PULSE: Were you able to talk to anyone who knew Diana?

ARRANT: Although I tried on several occasions and with several different people, unfortunately no I wasn’t about to talk with anyone who knew Diana closely. Instead I relied on second-hand information shown in books, articles and video pieces done on Diana.

THE PULSE: Do you think being able to talk to someone would have made things different in the long run?

ARRANT: Definitely. As a journalist, the quality of your sources and the ability to talk to them first hand really enriches the strength of a piece. But while I didn’t have first-hand access to any individuals close to Diana, I relied on the next best thing available.

THE PULSE: Right. You said your mom was a fan, what does she think of you working on this project?

ARRANT: Actually, she doesn’t know. I’ve been trying to keep a tight lid on it here on the home front so when the book finally comes out I can present her an actual copy of the book. She’s not very internet-savvy, so I think my secret is safe. [laughs]

What do you think she’ll think?

THE PULSE: She’s a mom. She’ll be very proud! What did working on this project teach you about the ins and outs of the industry that you really hadn’t known yet?

ARRANT: Although I’ve done several comics before, this is my first full-length comic book. Short stories are like writing a perfect three-minute song, while doing a full-length comic is like doing a Led Zeppelin-esque epic 8 or 9 minute song. Every page was measured so I didn’t use too much bravado or pomp, while still delivering the goods and building up for those high moments. I learned a lot about pacing with this book.

THE PULSE: What was the editorial process like? Did they like what you did basically or were there a lot of changes being asked for? What’s that like?

ARRANT: Working as a comics journalist, I’ve heard and read a lot of horror stories about editorial changes. And even though I don’t work in comics full-time, I work with editors every day as a journalist and in a similar situation with clients as a graphic designer. For Female Force: Princess Diana, Darren was very hands-off to the editorial: we worked closely together in the beginning to figure out the shape and tone of the books, but once that was settled he gave me free range to write a great 22 page comic commemorating Princess Diana. Internally I went through several drafts, but Darren approved the one draft I sent to him – the final. And no rewrites!

THE PULSE: Who brought this story to life?

ARRANT: Andrew Yerrakadu did an amazing job drawing this book. Andrew’s done some work in the past online and with some smaller publishers, but for both of us this is our biggest project to date. You wouldn’t know it from looking, but he’s an attorney who works on comics by night. That sounds like a superhero, doesn’t it?

And rounding out the art team on this is colorist Kristy Swan and lettering by DigitalCAPS. Coloring might look easy to some, but it’s hard to do what Kristy does, especially with this kind of story where you’re balancing these real events while striving to create something that lives up to the image of Diana.

THE PULSE: What other projects are you working on?

ARRANT: I’ve got several projects in the works, including a full-length graphic novel of the short story Eric Adams and I did called Stuart which ran in Negative Burn and my self-published book Four Stories. I’ve also got a three-issue miniseries I’m hoping to get off the ground this month, I’m just looking for the right artist to make it sing.

Besides that, Darren and I are already talk about what I can do next for BlueWater — I’d really love the chance to do an issue of Vincent Price Presents.

******************************************************************

We’d like to thank Chris for letting us use this interview and fabulous preview of photos to promote the book and if you would like to order it please let us know.   theprincessisin@princessdianabookboutique.com

Rare photo of Diana poolside

Diana Dress Display in California?

Ever since the Virgin Megastore closed at Downtown Disney’s West Side, speculation has been rampant on what will go inside the shuttered space. The latest rumor states that an agreement has been signed between Disney and Maureen Rorech Dunkel, a woman who purchased 14 of the princess’s dresses just weeks before her death, to display them at Downtown Disney.Click here to read the report.

Since this rumor is not confirmed. there is no word on whether there will be an admission charge to view the dresses if they do indeed come to Disney. There is also the question of whether the display would be permanent or just a temporary attraction until something else moves into the enormous store.

The Disney name is certainly tied closely to princesses, albeit the fictional kind. Time will tell whether Diana (pictured at right), a real-life princess who had a not so happily ever after, will join them.

Since this rumor is not confirmed. there is no word on whether there will be an admission charge to view the dresses if they do indeed come to Disney. There is also the question of whether the display would be permanent or just a temporary attraction until something else moves into the enormous store.

The Disney name is certainly tied closely to princesses, albeit the fictional kind. Time will tell whether Diana (pictured at right), a real-life princess who had a not so happily ever after, will join them.

Ever since the Virgin Megastore closed at Downtown Disney’s West Side, speculation has been rampant on what will go inside the shuttered space. The latest rumor states that an agreement has been signed between Disney and Maureen Rorech Dunkel, a woman who purchased 14 of the princess’s dresses just weeks before her death, to display them at Downtown Disney.Click here to read the report.

Since this rumor is not confirmed. there is no word on whether there will be an admission charge to view the dresses if they do indeed come to Disney. There is also the question of whether the display would be permanent or just a temporary attraction until something else moves into the enormous store.

The Disney name is certainly tied closely to princesses, albeit the fictional kind. Time will tell whether Diana (pictured at right), a real-life princess who had a not so happily ever after, will join them.

2009 Trooping the Colour William & Harry

A Side View of the Pearl Studded Dress

 

Catherine Walker (born in 1945) designed this dress which Princess Di commissioned for an official visit to Hong Kong in November, 1989.

Catherine Walker said about her design, “I chose pearls because they seemed so appropriate for a visit to the Orient.”The dress is made of silk with oyster pearls and sequins. Embroidery was by 5 Lock LTD. What a thrill it must have been to work on this dress

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS OF DIANA

Early Di – black white and shopping!

DISNEY DOES DIANA!

 

 

The new exhibit at Downtown Disney showcases the many lives of the late Princess Diana, from childhood to princess to mum to philanthropist to icon.

During a walk-through of “Diana — the People’s Princess,” I was reminded that royals are people, too. The displays show off hundreds of regal artifacts, including some chic, rarely-seen-in-America dresses, but what stuck with me are the hundreds of items showing Diana’s human touches.

For instance, on display is a blanket that the princess used in Balmoral, the castle in Scotland. She would get chilly, just like real people, right? And maybe someone in the castle was a cover hog because stitched along the edge is a tag that reads “HRH Princess of Wales.” Hands off, the princess has spoken.

There are many handwritten pieces as well. Diana was prompt in her thank-you cards, and she wrote out birthday invitations that look like they could have been purchased at Party City.

On one wall is a handwritten schedule for her hair appointments. Some days have an additional notation — “tiara” — for days that a crown-friendly ‘do was required.

On the royal side, the dresses are impressive and flanked by photos of Diana wearing them. Most familiar might the black velvet V- neck ensemble she wore for an official portrait in 1985. What you can’t see in that portrait is the cool, elegant back, topped by a decorative rose at the back of the neck.

In the back is a plaid dress that Diana wore to an event in Scotland.

“She was very astute in matching her fashion to the country or institution she was visiting,” says Maureen Rorech Dunkel, founder of The People’s Princess Charitable Foundation, which is presenting the exhibit.

A series of larger-than-life photographs serves as a timeline for her fashion evolution.

“I’m trying to hone into her multiples identities,” Dunkel says.

Many of the displays are oversized, which is a good thing considering the size of the room. The displays wind around the ground floor of the building, which housed the Virgin Megastore until the entire chain closed earlier this year. Giant banners and photographs dangle from the rafters as well as on the exterior of the building, where images of rock singers and pop stars used to hang out.

Diana’s death is covered without being too maudlin. Notable items within a memorial case are Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” music and a ceremonial jacket worn by a pallbearer. Nearby is a large representation of the thousands of flowers that mourners placed at the palace gate.

The exhibit typically takes 35 to 45 minutes to experience, Dunkel says. Frankly, I would have guessed longer — there are so many little things to absorb. And larger pieces such as the doll-sized replica of Diana’s wedding dress (and 25-foot train) are time-consuming items. But don’t take a picture — photography is extremely restricted.

The artifacts will be at Downtown Disney through November. It’s easy to imagine making a night of Cirque du Soleil or dinner with Diana for dessert. Sweet.
COURTESY OF ORLANDO SENTINEL.COM

Another Rare Collectible

We would like to highlight this rarely seen collectible from Princess Diana’s Wedding in 1981.  Poet Laureate John Betjeman wrote the official poem or ode for their wedding.  Only 125 copies exist in the world.  Single sheet in red and blue decorative print.  Some were signed by the poet.

From our rare photo archives….

Diana and Charles in Hyde Park for the Pavarotti concert 1991.  In the rain, expressions on their faces say it all.   We are going to be showcasing some rare photos over the next month from our extensive photo archives.  Stay tuned!

Princess Diana in Green Black Gown Canada 1991

PRINCESS DIANA’S LAST SUMMER HOLIDAY 1997

THE DOTTED SWISS GOWN

VICTOR EDELSTEIN DRESS DIAMANTE DETAILED BUTTONS

A black velvet strapless evening gown edged with silk grosgrain and with three large diamonte buttons to front. This dress was a favourite of the Princess of Wales, she was often photographed wearing it during the Winter of 1988/1989 and when sitting for her portrait specified that her figure wore this dress the best. The clean, sophisticated lines of this dress show how Diana was moving away from the frilly, girlie designs of the first years of her marriage. Victor Edelstein became a favourite designer of the Princess of Wales

PRINCE CHARLES’ LOVE LETTER FOR SALE

JANET JENKINS  by DENNIS ELLAM in Toronto To the world there was only one other woman involved when Prince Charles and Diana’s fairytale marriage ended…his mistress Camilla Parker Bowles.  Diana herself was aware of only one rival. “There were three people in that marriage,” she said in her famous Panorama interview.  Yet at the very time he was said to be fighting to save his crumbling relationship, Charles was cheating on Diana and Camilla by having an affair with a tall, willowy blonde. Now the woman who first became his secret lover and confidante in the 1970s has told for the first time how she slept with him at Highgrove in July 1992, while Diana was living at Kensington Palace and Camilla was forced to maintain a discreet distance. Janet Jenkins, now 55 and twice divorced, reveals how:  - Charles first tried to seduce her in his private rooms in Buckingham Palace – before they finally made love in her apartment with his security guards waiting outside.  - He gave her a gold bracelet from Asprey’s and a silver pillbox engraved with the Prince of Wales feathers. – The Queen was furious when she found Janet and Charles had spent a weekend together in Balmoral…yet he still invited her to his wedding - Diana was furious and “looked daggers at her” after Janet hugged Charles at his 40th birthday party. - Charles took her to bed for the last time in Highgrove after she knocked on his bedroom door and asked to borrow some toothpaste. - The Prince wrote love letters to “My Darling Janet” and was so tired after one date that he failed his Naval exams. Janet says she is only breaking her silence now so people realise that as well as being a future king, Charles is also human, and often a lonely man.  “I don’t think either of us planned that the evening together in Highgrove should end in sex,” she says. “But he was lonely and he needed company. When we made love, it wasn’t out of lust as it used to be in our younger days. It was out of a yearning for companionship.  “I didn’t feel I was helping to break up a marriage. It seemed to me it was a marriage already over. I was extending comfort to a friend just as you might at a funeral. “I guess you could say Charles was cheating on all of us, but likewise, we were all cheating on our husbands. Everyone was cheating on someone. I remember listening to Diana, a few years later, as she described how there were three people in her marriage. That night there were four. “As far as I know Diana never suspected and Camilla’s name was never mentioned, not even during that night at Highgrove.” Janet lives with her son Jason, 16, in a smart apartment block in Toronto. But it was in Montreal, working for the British Consulate, that she first met Charles in 1975. Their on-off romance ended just before Charles met Diana, but they kept in touch, speaking on the phone every few months and meeting in both Canada and Britain. So it was at first just as old friends, that she told him she would would be visiting London in the summer of 1992 and he invited her to Highgrove for the weekend.  “A car collected me in London and dropped me off at Highgrove. Charles was waiting at the door to greet me with a kiss on each cheek,” she recalls. Dressed in a a pair of baggy cords, she was struck by how “weary, much older and thinner” he had become; a despondent Charles, agonising over his marriage. William and Harry were away at school, and Diana had apparently moved permanently back to Kensington Palace. That afternoon, Charles suggested that they take a walk. “I was totally unprepared but he fished out a pair of wellingtons and a Barbour coat that belonged to someone else – Diana? who would know?” Later, back at Highgrove he gave her a bunch of lavender – her favourite flower – and poured out his troubles.  “We started the evening with champagne for old times’ sake.  “On our first dates I was terribly nervous and tense, and he told me what Queen Victoria used to say – that a glass of champagne is good for a woman, because it gives her a sparkle What he meant was it makes her sexier.” She says it was impossible not to feel sorry for him as he poured out his feelings for the next four hours.  “I sat with him, holding his hand. His marriage was in deep trouble. We talked about Diana and her erratic behaviour, her weeping fits, her attempt to throw herself down the stairs  “He said, ‘I’ve tried speaking to her, but she won’t see reason. I don’t know how to reach her. Every time I try she just refuses me’.”‘ He told her it was Diana’s decision to send the boys away to boarding school. Charles had wanted to keep them at home for one more year as day boys, but she saw their removal as one more way of hurting him.  “He also told me that William had witnessed some of Diana’s scenes such as when she locked herself crying in the bathroom.  “He told me that it was upsetting for the boys and added, ‘I hope they remember that when all the screaming and shouting was going on, I wasn’t shouting back.

LETTERS ARE ON EBAY FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THEM! 2001 INTERVIEW PUBLISHED ABOVE IN TORONTO

Diana 1981 Pre-Engagement

Diana, her brother and Mum School Days

Diana the Swimmer

Diana 1980 London

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Very RARE collectible!

We are delighted to show a very rare leather edition of the Tribute in Dress Book from 1998,  published by the Memorial Fund chaired by Paul Burrell her former butler.  Absolutely luxurious volume with gilt and moire.   We know of  no other place to find it!  If you are interested in purchasing it and would like more details please contact us at the Princess Diana Book Boutique.

Diana driving in London c. 1981

Diana Up Close!

Diana, Princess of Wales 1961-1997

The Red Sheep Black Sheep Sweater

By Camilla Tominey and Charlie Wells – UK DAILY EXPRESS

A WOOLLY jumper like the one made famous by Princess Diana is set to be a catwalk sensation.

 French fashion house Chloe has designed a £155 red jumper with white sheep, similar to the one Diana used to wear in the Eighties.

It might look like something your granny ­knitted but designer woolly jumpers like this are poised to be all the rage this winter.

Fashion followers have already started snapping up the sweaters, which are perfect in the credit crunch as they can often be found buried at the back of ­wardrobes or on the rails of charity shops. With knitting back in vogue again, do-it-yourself is even an option.

Diana was photographed in the jumper, which featured one black sheep in the flock, at a polo match at Smith’s Lawn Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire, in June 1983.

It was designed by Joanna Osborne and Sally Muir, whose company Warm and Wonderful was propelled to fame after pictures of Diana in the sweater were splashed across front pages. It was a gift from the mother of one of the ­Princess’s ­pageboys.

Tomorrow is the 12th anniversary of Diana’s death in a Paris car crash. Mourners are expected to lay tributes at the Pont D’Alma, the tunnel where she died, at ­Kensington Palace in London where she lived, and at Althorp in Northamptonshire, where she grew up and is buried.

http://www.princessdianabookboutique.com/store/products/details/?product=3035

Update!  For those of you who are crafty with knitting needles – we now have the knitting instructions for sale for all three of her famous sweaters!  Rare Find! 

http://www.princessdianabookboutique.com/store/products/details/?product=3040

 

PARIS TORCH MEMORIAL IN PARIS 12 YEARS ON

Last Tuesday was the 12th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, following a car accident in the underground tunnel at Pont de L’Alma in Paris. Her death brought about an unprecedented outpouring of grief and anger directed at the British royal family for their treatment of her.

The famous British barrister Michael Mansfield, QC, who handled dozens of high-profile cases, from the Birmingham Six to Stephen Lawrence, has now said in his riveting new book, Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer, that he “cannot accept the idea that the Alma tunnel tragedy was an accident; they probably hope that it would be perceived as such”.

This is not the first time such claims have been made. Two years before her death, Diana had told Lord Mishcon, her solicitor, that “efforts would be made if not to get rid of her (be it a car accident with brake failure or whatever) at least to see that she was so injured or damaged as to be declared unbalanced”. Paul Burrell, Diana’s butler, also disclosed a note by Diana, which he maintained she wrote in 1996, saying “This particular phase in my life is the most dangerous — my husband is planning ‘an accident’ in my car. Brake failure and serious head injury in order to make the path clear for him to marry”.

Many saw this as an instance of paranoia on Diana’s part. Michael Mansfield, a wealthy man, who acted for Mohamed Al Fayed at the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and her lover Dodi Al Fayed in April 2008, pointed out that he took the case, not for money, but “out of interest and a real sympathy for Al Fayed who had been unceasingly and erroneously attacked for wanting to know what any grieving parent would want: why his child died”.

He said:”There are still unanswered questions regarding the tragic accident that took place in the Alma tunnel.”

He further pointed out that on April 7, 2008, the jury at the inquest came to the conclusion, not that it was a tragic accident, but returned a verdict of “unlawful killing by the drivers of both the Mercedes and the following vehicles”. The “following vehicles” referred to were not those of the paparazzi, as many thought, but other vehicles including the infamous white Fiat which apparently had no more than glancing contact with the Mercedes carrying Dodi and Diana, but also a dark car in front of the Princess’s car, which slowed it down, and also a large motorbike tailgating it. There had also been witnesses in the tunnel, Benoit Boura and Gaelle L’Hostis, who saw the Mercedes sandwiched between a dark blocking vehicle immediately in front, with which the Mercedes had collided before it hit the 13th pillar and skewed across the road, hitting the far wall of the tunnel, and a large motorcycle right behind. Neither vehicle was traced. Two other witnesses, Clifford Gooroovadoo and Olivier Partouche, who were on foot near the entrance to the tunnel, confirmed seeing both the dark car and the motorcycle, but Partouche also thought he saw flashes of light before the vehicles disappeared into the underpass.

In days of yore, it was customary to read a fairy story to children at bedtime. Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin spring to mind. Both of the heroines in the stories were locked in isolation in towers. They, of course, had happy endings, being rescued by handsome princes.

A couple of television documentaries last week covered Diana’s life and I was shocked all over again by how callously this young girl was treated by the House of Windsor.

In 1980, Prince Charles, having played the field for a number of years, was in his 30s and under pressure to marry and produce an heir and a spare.

He had dated Sabrina Guinness, Susan George, Helga Wagner, Lucia Santa Cruz, the daughter of the Chilean Ambassador, reputed to have introduced him to Camilla Shand — later Parker Bowles — in 1971 and countless others. He missed the boat first time around with Camilla in the Seventies, as he went off to sea and she married someone else. It was rumoured too that his Mama did not think she was suitable. The family and the establishment had a good look around for a suitable bride, who had to be a virgin. They came up with the young and innocent Diana Spencer, 19-year-old younger sister of Lady Sarah Spencer, whom he had also dated.

In their engagement interview, when asked if they were in love, Diana said coyly, from under her fringe, “of course”, while Charles said “whatever that is”. Diana was already aware of Camilla just before the wedding, and nearly called it off. Coming down the aisle with Prince Charles after their marriage she looked like a creamy innocent fawn, so young, so inexperienced, it was heartbreaking.

Trouble started on the honeymoon, when it was clear Charles was still in touch with Camilla but pettiness really set in when they were doing walkabouts on a royal tour of Australia. People wanted to see Diana up close rather than her prince.

Diana said Charles resumed his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles in 1983, and she received little sympathy with her post-natal depression after the birth of her two boys. She had produced the heir and the spare. Diana didn’t realise that she was supposed to do like other royal brides before her, Queen Alexandra, for example, and turn a blind eye to her husband’s philandering. Windsor spokespersons began to refer to her as unstable. She herself referred very openly to her post natal depression in later interviews .

In some of the footage shown last week from the Eighties, Diana was shockingly skeletal. Is it any wonder? She was absolutely isolated by the Windsors. She said her post would go missing. She said she was watched all the time. But she also admitted to being bulimic. When the separation eventually came, she was sent to live in splendid isolation in Kensington Palace.

Diana collaborated in 1992 with Andrew Morton in a ‘tell all’ book. This was an absolutely sensational thing for a royal

to do, but she was maturing and fighting back. You could see it in her face as the years went on. Divorce ensued, and both gave sensational interviews. The Palace seemed petty as they stripped the mother of the future King of her HRH title. By 1997, the inexperienced and gauche young girl had turned into a sexy superstar and a continual thorn in the side of the Windsors. She was looking for a meaningful role on the world stage for herself, and campaigned against landmines, making a highly publicised visit to Angola in January 1997.

She was described in some quarters as being a “loose cannon” and interfering in political affairs.

Diana always said she was never going to go quietly, there wasn’t a lot of coverage on mainstream British television of the anniversary, but Michael Mansfield is keeping her torch alight.  The Irish Independent

Princess Diana at Braemar Games

 

We love the tartans at Braemar!  The Recent Games were just held on September 5, 2009.  Diana always had a wonderfully fashionable tartan outfit.  Here she is in the Caroline Charles outfit and the Glengarry Cap outfit.