Princess Diana's Item That She Utilized To Fool Paparazzi Sells At Auction

At a recent auction, a specific sweatshirt from Princess Diana's private clothing collection sold for $53,532. The buyer, who has requested to remain anonymous, was based in California. The high selling price for the article of clothing is likely due to its unique backstory of being used as a "tool for her to play with the paparazzi," according to People.

The navy sweatshirt, which featured the "Flying Lady" logo, was gifted to the late Princess Diana by Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. Diana decided that she would wear it to and from the Chelsea Harbour Club gym in London so that the paparazzi would become bored with taking photographs of her as she conducted her daily routine, reports W Magazine.

Jenni Rivett, who was Diana's longtime personal trainer, was gifted the sweatshirt by the royal. Recounting the event in 2018 while giving an interview to the Yahoo! series "The Royal Box," Rivett said, "Every single session all the media were outside camped with their stepladders, and cameras and lenses and everything. For her, she just found it so incredibly, 'Why are they so interested in me when there are more important things to worry about in the world.'"

Continuing, she added, "It wasn't her that asked for this. I remember one of her strategies was that she was going to wear the same Virgin Active sweatshirt every single session."

A handwritten note from Princess Diana was also included in the sale of the sweatshirt, which was written to Rivett when she was given the gift. "Dearest Jenni, Lots of love from, Diana, x," it reads.

No word yet on whether it will be put into an exhibit of some sort of kept within a personal collection, but as for the money Rivett made from the sale, Rivett plans on donating it to a charity that helps girls in Malawi attend school, which she feels would have made Diana proud.