On June 25 , 1997 , just months before Princess Diana ’s end in August , dozens of her dresses were auction off off at Christie ’s in New York . Now , some of her handwritten alphabetic character regarding that upshot are hitting theauctionblock .
Princess Dianawrote the letters to her ally Elizabeth Tilberis , editor - in - headman ofHarper ’s Bazaarat the time , both go up to and after the auction .
“ The word of the auction come out far too early & it ’s due to be announce next week from Christies ! [ sic ] , ” she penned on February 25 , 1997 . “ It ’s been quite an event sorting out the frock — memory board flood back & some fantabulous one too ! ”
She ended up choosing a total of 79 garment , include several of her most memorable ones . harmonize toThe New York Times , the slinky velvet gown she wore while trip the light fantastic toe with John Travolta at a White House dinner in 1985 bring in an impressive $ 222,500 , and what she called her “ Elvis dress”—a pearl - encrust clean number with a co-ordinated , high - necked bolero crownwork — sell for $ 151,000 . Overall , the vendue raised a astounding $ 3.25 million , which was donate to the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Fund and the AIDS Crisis Trust .
“ It was stunning the amount made by the auction last week , ” she wrote to Tilberis on July 1 . “ How typical of the Americans to be so totally generous . I can always swear on them ! ”
In increase to theroyal familymemorabilia , the auction — which takes place on Thursday , February 20 — will include rarefirst editionsof severalJane Austennovels , too .
