Diana’s iconic Warm and Wonderful black sheep jumper sold for $US1.4 million ($2.17 million) at a Sotheby’s auction on Thursday.
The red jumper with a black sheep among rows of white sheep was worn by a 19-year-old Diana Spencer to a polo match with Prince Charles in 1981.
The lot also included a letter from Buckingham Palace to brand Warm and Wonderful politely saying that Diana had damaged the sweater and asking whether it could be repaired or replaced.
After it was damaged on the wrist, Diana’s private secretary Oliver Everett wrote to Warm and Wonderful co-founder Joanna Osborne asking if it could be repaired.
A new sweater was knitted and dispatched, and Diana was photographed wearing it with white jeans and a black ribbon tie at an event in 1983.
Ms Osborne found the original jumper in a box in her attic in March.
The lot was originally estimated to fetch between $US50,000 and $US80,000.
Diana’s woollen wonder is officially the most expensive piece of the princess’ memorabilia sold at auction.
The sheep sweater overtook Diana’s Victor Edelstein-designed ball gown, which was sold by Sotheby’s in January and went for $US604,800.
At a separate sale at Julien’s Auctions this month, a number of Princess Diana items went for eye-watering amounts.
Lots sold included:
A “premiere-worn” Bruce Oldfield silk gown for $US571,500
A “gala-dinner-worn” Catherine Walker evening gown for $US571,500
A Catherine Walker Black and White strapless gown for $US508,000
A letter signed by Princess Diana $US5,080
(ABC)
