Kim Kardashian acquires iconic Attallah Cross worn by Princess Diana for £163,800 at Sotheby’s London
Reality star Kim Kardashian has acquired a piece of royal history, after purchasing the Attallah Cross worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, at Sotheby’s London. The 1920s pendant, designed by luxury jeweller Garrard, was worn on several occasions by Diana and sold for £163,800 in the Sotheby’s royal and noble sale on Wednesday.
The Attallah Cross, a unique and striking piece set with square-cut amethysts and accented by circular-cut diamonds, had a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats. The pendant, which was famously worn by Diana at a London charity gala in October 1987, sold for more than double its pre-auction estimate, with four bidders competing for it during the final five minutes of the sale.
The cross was originally bought from Garrard by businessman Naim Attallah in the 1980s, and through his friendship with Diana, Attallah was able to loan it to her for several occasions over a number of years.
Head of jewellery at Sotheby’s London, Kristian Spofforth, said of the piece: “Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive. To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess’s growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices, at that particular moment in her life.”
This acquisition is not the first time Kardashian has shown interest in historical fashion items. In May 2022, she revealed she had lost 16lbs to fit into a Marilyn Monroe dress, worn by the star at her famous 1962 performance of “Happy Birthday” to US President John F Kennedy. The dress was on loan to Kardashian from the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum for last year’s Met Gala.
Kardashian’s interest in historical fashion items reflects a growing trend among celebrities to acquire iconic pieces of fashion and cultural history. The Attallah Cross, with its royal heritage and unique design, is a particularly noteworthy addition to Kardashian’s collection, and a testament to the enduring appeal of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Attallah Cross is not the only piece of Diana’s jewellery that has been sold in recent times. In 2019, a pair of her earrings sold for £137,000 at Sotheby’s, while a bracelet she received from Prince Charles as a wedding present sold for £62,500 at Christie’s in 2017. These sales demonstrate that interest in Diana’s style and fashion continues to be strong, even more than two decades after her tragic death.
In addition to her interest in historical fashion, Kardashian has also been known for her philanthropic efforts, using her platform and wealth to support various charitable causes. It will be interesting to see if she chooses to loan or showcase the Attallah Cross in a public or charitable setting, adding an extra layer of meaning to her acquisition.
Overall, Kim Kardashian’s acquisition of the Attallah Cross worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, is a significant and noteworthy event in the world of fashion and celebrity culture, and a reflection of the enduring appeal of the late Princess.