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British Royals

Iconic images of Diana, Princess of Wales, to go on display at Althorp

A new exhibition displaying iconic images of Diana, Princess of Wales has opened at the Althorp Estate, Northampton, the princess’s final resting place and the family seat of the Earls of Spencer since 1508.

The images – fifteen in total, taken in 1997 by legendary photographer Mario Testino – will be on display in the estate’s Grade 1-listed stables during house opening days at Althorp from now until 8 October 2017. Entrance to the exhibition will be included with all admission tickets to Althorp.

Initially shot for Vanity Fair magazine the images turned out to be the last official portraits taken of the Princess before the accident that claimed her life in Paris later that year. Twenty years after her death, visitors will be able to browse the exhibition, which sits alongside reminders of Diana’s charitable works and legacy. This includes the ‘Walking in her Shoes’ exhibition, which will showcase the impact of 20 inspirational young people who have received the Diana Award, a charity set up in the princess’s memory and based around her belief that “young people have the power to change the world for the better”.

Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, said that: “I have always felt that Mario Testino captured the essence of Diana, quite brilliantly. These wonderful images made a huge impact on me when I saw them first, and revisiting them now, 20 years later, seems a fitting tribute to my beautiful, fabulous, sister.”

The original photographs form part of a permanent exhibition at the Museuo Mario Testino (MATE) in Lima, Peru. The exhibition will mark the first time in 12 years that the entire collection of photos will be on display together since they were shown at Kensington Palace in 2005.

Mario Testino has said that: “It’s a real privilege to have been given the opportunity to photograph someone like Princess Diana, and to have the images become symbolic of her kindness and beauty. I’m very happy to see them at Earl Spencer’s home, which brings her back to her family estate.”

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