Among these treasured legacies were precious items, including one later employed by Prince William for his heartfelt proposal to Kate. The original will, bearing Diana's signature on June 1, 1993, with subsequent amendments in 1996, appointed Diana's mother, Francis Ruth Shand Kydd, and her sister, Lady Elizabeth S. Levinia McCorquodale, as co-executors and trustees of her vast estate.
Diana fervently requested the equitable division of the majority of her worldly possessions between her two sons, William and Harry. The remaining remnants were designated for her 17 godchildren. Additionally, Diana graciously gifted £50,000 to her loyal butler, Paul Burrell, as a token of appreciation for his unwavering dedication and service.
Reports suggest that Diana desired a trust for her estate, accessible to William and Harry at the age of 25. However, modifications were made by Diana's mother and sister, altering the age of inheritance to 30. Diana's iconic wedding dress from 1981, adorned with pearls and layers of silk, was intended for Harry and William when Harry turned 30. The dress, with its remarkable 25-ft train, had been showcased in exhibitions worldwide, finally returned to her sons in 2014.
In addition to the dress, other cherished personal keepsakes once belonging to their mother were also given to the princes, previously cared for by Earl Spencer, Diana's brother. The renowned dress continued its journey, exhibited in the United States to raise funds for the Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Reflecting on the gown's remarkable journey, designer David Emanuel remarked in 2014 that it had earned its keep, captivating audiences worldwide and standing as a testament to its enduring magnificence.
