How the Princess gave her heirlooms a new lease of life

Choker she turned into a headband

anOtHEr of the pieces made from reset sapphires from the Crown Prince of Saudi arabia suite was a stylish midnight blue velvet choker.

the oval sapphire came from the ring, and the surrounding diamond sunray frame from the watch. a three-deep chain of tiny diamonds was added on either side to run halfway along the velvet. though she had more than enough diamonds and sapphires to run the gems around the back of the choker, Diana decided to focus attention on the huge blue stone at the front.

the piece was backed only by Velcro, which, while not hugely secure, allowed the Princess to take it on and off easily.

She wore the choker for more than a decade, first at a competition for young pianists in newport, Wales, in 1985 (above left) and for the last time at a concert given by acclaimed opera singer Luciano Pavarotti in 1995.

in 1986, she raised a few eyebrows by wearing the choker as a headband (above right), paired with a sapphire blue flowing gown and matching earrings, at a State banquet hosted by the Emperor of Japan.