It will be 21 years since Princess Diana died following a horrific car accident. On August 31, 1997, the royal family member was on board a Mercedes S-280 with her lover Dodi Fayed, her bodyguard and the driver when the car hit a pillar under the Alma Bridge tunnel.
While her sudden death left everyone shocked, the Princess of Wales had left behind a will explaining who gets what if and when she dies.
According to The Balance, Diana's last will and testament was signed by her on June 1, 1993. She then modified the will with a codicil on February 1, 1996.
Her will revealed her estate constituted of stocks, investments, cash from her £17 million divorce settlement when she parted ways with Prince Charles, jewellery, dresses, and other personal belongings which was valued at approximately £21 million on the day of her death.
The Sun reported that William and Harry were left with three-quarters of her £21 million estate while the other quarter was divided among her 17 godchildren.
As per her will, the estate was equally divided between Prince William and Prince Harry. The estate was handed over to them once they turned 25. The publication revealed that until then, Diana's mother Frances Ruth Shand Kydd and her sister Lady Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia McCorquodale were assigned to act as co-executors and co-trustees.
It was reported that months after Diana's death, her mother and sister distributed her estate differently after they obtained a secret variation order from the High Court of Justice because they did not like the provisions of the will.
What did Kate Middleton inherit from Princess Diana's estate?
As we all know, the first thing the Duchess of Cambridge inherited from Princess of Wales' properties was the sapphire engagement ring which William presented to her when he proposed to her.
The Telegraph reported that one of Diana's Letter of Wishes directed the royal family to allocate all her jewellery to her sons who would then hand it over to their respective wives. "But I would like you to allocate all my jewellery to the share to be held by my sons, so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it. I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion," read her letter.
Daily Mail reported that there were rumours Harry had his heart set on the ring. However, after he witnessed William's love for Kate, he decided to trade the ring for his mother's Cartier watch.
As the couple married, more and more jewellery from Diana's collection began coming back into the limelight. Royal fans have seen Kate don the iconic Lover's Knot Tiara. Diana was photographed wearing the tiara on several occasions. The 1914 diamonds and the pearls-studded tiara was presented to Diana by the Queen.
Kate also received a pair of sapphire earrings and a pearl bracelet.
What did Meghan Markle inherit?
As of now, the Duchess of Sussex was seen wearing Diana's aquamarine ring at her wedding reception. Apart from that, Harry infused gems from her sapphire brooch (which was a wedding gift from the Queen) to Markle's engagement ring.
