Jewels that used to belong to Princess Diana will be sold to raise funds for the Ukrainian war.
A necklace and earring set made of diamonds and pearls, supposedly given to Princess Diana by Dodi Al-Fayed, will be sold at an auction next month and might sell for £10 million.
Diana wore the necklace at her last important event before she died in 1997. It was at a fancy evening for Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall.
The set has been owned by a Ukrainian family since 2008, The Telegraph reports.
This is believed to be the first time Diana’s privately owned jewellery will be sold publicly. Most of the jewellery she wore was loaned to her by the Crown when she was a member of the royal family.
They will be displayed in London before being auctioned off in New York next month.
Experts at Guernsey’s Auctioneers of New York reckon the set will sell for anything between £4 and £11 million.
Arlan Ettinger, president of the auctioneers, said: ‘While many accomplished figures fade from view, Princess Diana is as vibrant today as when she was indeed the most admired woman on the planet.
‘The Swan Lake Suite was especially made for her. She was part of the design process.
‘It is thought to be her only jewellery to have ever been sold, making it extraordinarily important.
‘There are many people who have described it as priceless but we have given it a very broad estimate.’
After Diana’s death her family gave permission for the necklace and matching earrings to be sold, with some of the proceeds going to Unicef.
The earrings were made to match the necklace but weren’t finished before her untimely death.
The listing includes a letter of authenticity from Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell, dated April 1998.
He explains how he approached her older sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, who consented for the set to be sold.
It was bought in 1999 by American businessman Jim McIngvale for just under $1 million, but he sold it to a Ukrainian family who are big fans of the royal family during the economic downturn in 2008.
Mr Ettinger added: ‘The war in Ukraine has been a motivating factor in them deciding to sell the Swan Lake Suite now.
‘They have had them for 14 years but given what is going on, their thoughts are now very much on rebuilding their country.’
The necklace was made from 178 diamonds totalling 51 carats and paired with five matching 12mm South Sea pearls.
The sale will take place on June 27.