Diana’s desk on show in tribute at Buckingham Palace’s summer opening

The summer of 2017 marks 20 years since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and in a small tribute to her, Buckingham Palace is displaying her desk and some personal items to remember her work as a member of the Royal Family.

A tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the Music Room; her desk is on show for the summer opening of Buckingham Palace (Royal Collection Trust / (c) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017)

Beginning tomorrow, with a theme of royal gifts, Buckingham Palace’s summer opening sees tens of thousands of visitors through its doors.

The Music Room will hold the Princess’ desk, at which she worked at Kensington Palace. Prince William and Harry selected many of the items for display, which will coincide with the documentary they have made to remember their mother: Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, airing 24th July.

Upon this desk is what you’d expect of most people: her stationery, complete with ‘D’ cipher, ‘official’ papers and documents. a letter rack, a blotter, and other office paraphernalia, like an Asprey briefcase (a wedding gift from the Worshipful Company of Glovers), a silver Cartier calendar (from the Reagans for the Waleses visit in 1985) and of course, family photos.

Diana, Princess of Wales’ desk on show at Buckingham Palace, with stationery, family photos and her ballet shoes. (Royal Collection Trust / (c) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017)

Also showing Diana’s personality and hobbies are a pair of ballet shoes; this pair used to hang on the sitting room door in Kensington Palace. A box of cassette tapes honours her love of music and includes George Michael, Elton John and Diana Ross but also operas and classical music.

In addition to this a wooden box with a ‘D Spencer’, sits nearby. This box was used by Lady Diana Spencer for treats and taken with her to boarding school. It was kept in The Princess’s sitting room at Kensington Palace. Her childhood typewriter was also kept in the sitting room.

Buckingham Palace is open from 22nd July to 1st October; get tickets here.

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1 comment

cecilia floreancig Sat 22 July, 2017 - 11:18 am

This is really nice.
Diana is the mother of some very important boys that grew up to be men.
Even tho the parents had seperated and gone seperate ways,a father and a mother are very important to any child growing up.
Diana would be so proud and her spirit lives on and i know she is looking down on her family and wishing only the very best…

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