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Princess Diana wore the Ralph Lauren sweatshirt during a romantic trip with Dodi Fayed sailing on the Italian Riviera on board the Jonikal yacht in august 1997.
During her trip on the yacht, owned by Dodi’s father Mohammed Al-Fayed, she gave the head stewardess Debbie Wood the cream coloured sweatshirt with USA in red lettering on its front as a present for her service.
Mrs Wood was employed as the chief stewardess on board the 200ft yacht for the summer season and was responsible for looking after the guests and crew onboard Jonikal.
Now after 21 years Mrs Wood is putting the sweatshirt under the hammer with US-based auction house RR Auctions.
She said: ”I was closely engaged with Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed as my role on board meant I was serving them every day for all their needs and requirements during their cruises in the Mediterranean and was constantly in their personal surroundings while on board.
“I was gifted a Ralph Lauren sweater from Diana in person the night before we departed from Sardinia to Paris as a personal thank you for looking after her on board.”
Diana was photographed wearing the sweatshirt during the Sardinia-leg of the journey.
The medium-sized sweatshirt has a couple of minor stains but is in ‘fine’ condition.
On another trip with the royals, Mrs Wood accompanied Diana, Dodi, Prince William ad Harry on a cruise around the French Riviera in July in 1997.
Onboard, Diana and Dodi enjoyed caviar and champagne and the Princess loved swimming in the waters near the yacht, Mrs Wood claimed.
Diana, Dodi and their driver Henri Paul were killed on August 31 1997, after suffering fatal injuries in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris.
This year marks the 20th anniversary since her tragic death with events being held around the country in her memory.
The auction ends on September 12.
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