Princess Diana's Private Jewelry: The Personal Pieces Outside the Royal Vault

PRINCESS DIANA’S PRIVATE JEWELRY COLLECTION Princess Diana was known to the world as an icon of her era — but behind the public image existed another life. Quieter. More personal. Far more intimate. Alongside the Crown Jewels she wore on loan from Queen Elizabeth II — including the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara — Diana also built a parallel collection of her own. Pieces that were not part of the monarchy, and pieces that told a different story. Sometimes they were diplomatic gifts. Sometimes gestures of love. Sometimes simply her own choices during the years after her separation in 1992 and divorce in 1996. This was her private language in jewellery. After her death on 31 August 1997, these pieces were divided between Princes William and Harry, private collectors, and auction houses — yet each one still carries the echo of her presence. The Pieces & Their Stories The Attallah Cross — Garrard (c. 1920) Sold for £163,800 (2023) to Kim Kardashian at Sotheby’s. The Saudi Sapphire Suite — Asprey (1981) A wedding gift from Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The Modern Sapphire Choker — Vacheron “Bandeau” A diamond watch transformed into a choker and forehead bandeau. The Aquamarine Ring — Asprey (1996) A ~30-carat aquamarine gift from Lucia Flecha de Lima, valued at ~£85,000. The “Dis-Moi Oui” Ring — Repossi (1997) Linked to Dodi Fayed. Price: £11,600. Bulgari Pieces — Summer 1997 Including a diamond ring and a pearl dragon bracelet. Diamond Tennis Bracelet Later seen on Meghan Markle. The Spencer Tiara — Garrard (1937) A Spencer family heirloom worn at Diana’s wedding in 1981. A Legacy Beyond the Crown These jewels belonged to different worlds: royal tradition, personal identity, and everything in between. Today they are scattered across royal hands, private collections, and auction houses — yet each piece still carries her story. ____ #jewellery #jewels