Diana's dress sold on eBay

May 16, 2006, 14:39 GMT

A dress belonging to Britain's late Princess Diana is be auctioned on eBay.

Bidding for the sarong-style pink chiffon frock, which was designed by Catherine Walker and which the royal beauty wore four times, beings on May 24.

Owner Pamela Henn, an author and animation artist, successfully bid for the elegant gown when it went under the hammer at Christie's, New York, in 1997, three months before the blonde princess was killed in a car accident in Paris.

She said: 'I had a feeling it would be the last time anything like this happened; I had no idea how right I would be.'

Henn is now selling the dress to allow her to pursue her dream of writing children's books.

She added: 'It's what I've always wanted to do, I love children and my books are designed to address different issues our kids face. While I hate getting rid of the dress, it's something I really have to do.'

Diana, the mother of Princes William and Harry, wore the dress to the Royal Variety Performance - her last joint engagement with husband Prince Charles before their separation - and was photographed by Lord Snowdon in the gown.

The portrait later featured on a British stamp.

Earlier this year the car Prince Charles took Diana out in for their first date was put up for sale on the internet auction site.

The 29-year-old Range Rover, which has clocked up more than 36,000 miles, was first seen when the couple spent the weekend together at the royal family's Scottish retreat, Balmoral, in September 1980.

The dark-green 4x4 was also used by the royal pair during their honeymoon and in the run-up to their wedding in 1981.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International