Kim Kardashian wins 'bidding war' for amethyst necklace worn by Princess Diana
19 January 2023, 16:42 | Updated: 19 January 2023, 16:50
Kim Kardashian has bought an amethyst cross necklace worn by Princess Diana at auction.
The Attallah Cross, which the late princess wore on numerous occasions, was put up for sale at Sotheby's in London as part of its Royal and Noble Sale yesterday.
Four people competed for the iconic piece, with the US reality TV star and businesswoman landing the winning bid after five minutes.
The 1920s pendant by luxury jewellery designer Garrard, was most famously worn by the royal in October 1987 at the London charity gala for Birthright, a charity defending women's human rights during pregnancy and childbirth.
The pendant features large amethyst stones and is framed by 5.2-carat diamonds.
The necklace was bought by businessman and friend of Diana Naim Attallah in the 1980s who loaned it to her several times over many years.
It was Mr Attallah's estate that put the item up for auction.
Ms Kardashian parted with a total of £163,800 for the cross, a figure far higher than Sotheby's £80,000 to £120,000 pre-sale estimate.
Head of jewellery at Sotheby's London Kristian Spofforth said: "Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah Cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive.
"To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess's growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices, at that particular moment in her life."
Kim is no stranger to donning historic fashion items.
At last year's Met Gala, the media personality wore a Marilyn Monroe dress loaned to her from Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum.
The gown was worn by the legendary Hollywood actress during her famous performance of Happy Birthday to then US president John F Kennedy in 1962.
