A diamond and pearl necklace and earrings owned by the late Princess Diana were withdrawn from auction in New York, after they were sold to a “prominent museum”.
The Swan Lake Suite – named after a London ballet performance she attended while wearing them in June 1997 – was due to be sold with a $5m to $15m estimate on Tuesday (27 June).
But auctioneer Guernsey’s posted a message on its website that reads: “Princess Diana’s Swan Lake Suite has been privately sold to a prominent museum. Accordingly our auction of the beautiful jewels has been cancelled.”
The suite was commissioned by the Egyptian film producer Dodi Fayed, the princess’s new boyfriend, as a gift. She wore the necklace to a gala opening of the ballet season at the Royal Albert Hall.
It was then returned to crown jeweler Garrard so they could finish the earrings. Tragically, the princess never received them. She and Dodi Fayed both died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
The suite was owned by a “prominent family” in Ukraine. Part proceeds of the sale will go towards rebuilding the war-torn country.
The platinum necklace features 164 brilliant-cut diamonds and 14 marquise diamonds, with a total weight of almost 50 carats, plus five South Sea cultured pearls. Matching earrings are made 9.38 carats.
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