Several strands of hair said to have belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, have appeared for sale on eBay, prompting fresh debate about the trade in royal memorabilia and the boundaries of private remembrance.
The listing, posted by a US-based collector, offers ten individual strands of hair attributed to Diana, each priced at $106.80 (about £80). At the time of writing, four had already been sold, with six still available.
According to the seller’s description, each strand measures approximately an inch in length and is mounted on a 4×6 photographic display, intended for framing. The seller claims the hair originates from what is described as a single authenticated lock, allegedly acquired from a dealer specialising in royal memorabilia.
The listing states that the original lock was once attached to a small book inscribed by Diana herself with the words “My lock, Diana 1995”. The seller maintains that the lock was obtained through an intermediary who was personally known to the late princess, and that it had been kept among her personal effects.
Accompanying each strand is a scanned copy of a certificate of authenticity, with the seller explaining that the original documentation applies to the larger lock from which the individual strands were taken. Because of this, buyers are provided with copies rather than original certificates.
In an unusual addition, the seller also claims that each display includes a small fragment of royal wedding cake from the marriage of Charles, then Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 – another item long sought after by collectors of royal ephemera.
The letter of provenance attached to the listing asserts that the hair was given by Diana to a friend during the late 1980s, after being placed inside a personal book she had carried with her to a health club in London. The document states that the princess herself signed the inscription and gifted the lock directly.
The seller, who says they collect hair strands and locks from notable historical figures, describes the Diana material as “extremely scarce” and among the rarest items in their collection. They also point to a strong sales history on the platform, citing more than 1,300 satisfied buyers.
The sale of bodily relics linked to public figures has long divided opinion. While royal memorabilia – from signed letters to items of clothing – routinely changes hands at auction, the sale of hair is often regarded as more intimate, raising emotional questions.
Diana, who died in 1997 at the age of 36, remains one of the most enduringly popular figures in modern royal history. Nearly three decades after her death, items connected to her personal life continue to command strong interest, reflecting her lasting cultural impact and the deep public affection she still inspires.
