Princess Diana’s Millions

Diana Princess of Wales enjoys a dance with U.S. President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1985. Images from Wikimedia Commons

When the divorce proceedings of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, were finalized in 1996, the former Lady Diana Spencer went home with a cash settlement of £17 million, plus an annual income of £400,000 a year. When she died a year later, she was worth an estimated £21.5 million. Aside from leaving the bulk of her fortune to her two sons, Princes William and Harry, she also left money to several people who were close to her heart, including her butler, her sisters and mother, and her godchildren.

Documents revealed that the bulk of her estate--£13 million after taxes – was held in trust in equal amounts for her two sons, who would get each of their shares when they turn 25.  The executors, however, petitioned for a "variance" of the will, which delayed the distributions to William and Harry until they each turned 30, instead of 25 (although they started receiving income from the trust fund at the age of 25).  Sheer investments by the late princess’ executors, particularly her sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale, more than doubled the trust. By the time the princes turned 30, each received approximately £10 million. 

Princess Diana's wedding gown was inherited by her sons. Images from Flickr

Aside from the trust, the princes also equally divided their mother’s jewelry collection. An additional document penned by the princess, called the Letter of Wishes, requested that 75 percent of her personal effects, known as "chattels" in the Great Britain, be equally distributed between William and Harry. The other 25 percent was to go to her various godchildren. The executors, however, also requested a “variance,” which left each of her godchildren with only one item of the chattels, rather than a full share in the one-quarter of the value of all of her personal property. 

The Princess of Wales's wearing her engagement ring. Image from Flickr

The princes also inherited their mother's world-famous wedding dress. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the gown boasted of a 25-foot-long train, which remains the longest in British royal wedding history.  When asked to choose a memento from her mother’s items, Prince William picked her gold Cartier Tank Francaise watch. Prince Harry, meanwhile, chose her stunning blue 12-carat sapphire and diamond ring given to her by Prince Charles on their engagement in 1981. However, it was said that the brothers had an agreement that whoever got engaged first would be allowed to give the ring to his fiancée. So when Prince William proposed to Catherine Middleton’s for marriage, it was the Princess of Wales’ precious ring that he slid on her finger after she said, “Yes, I will marry you!"