A car,1981 Ford Escort Ghia, gifted to Princess Diana as an engagement present by Prince Charles has sold for $72,000 at auction. Princess Diana’s engagement present, 1981 Ford Escort Ghia, sold for about $30,000 more than the projected price range. According to the auctioneer’s estimate, the car would sell for between £30,000 and £40,000 ($41,500 and $55,400). The ultimate selling price was £52,640 ($72,800) after fees.
According to Reeman Dansie auctioneers, the vehicle was Princess Diana’s engagement present by Prince Charles in May 1981, two months before the couple’s wedding. The car was in use by the young princess until August 1982. On Tuesday, the automobile was sold with its original registration number, color, and radio. The car’s speedometer reads about 83,000 miles.
“The Ford was Princess Diana’s personal transport in the early and happiest part of her relationship with the Prince of Wales and there are numerous photographs of her driving it and even her watching the Prince playing polo, sitting inside it,” the Reeman Dansie statement reads.
The anonymous seller was a Diana fan who had kept the car’s royal origins hidden even from her pals. On the bonnet of the Ford, the saloon is a silver frog mascot. It is just like a replica of a present from Diana’s sister, Sarah Spencer. The present intended to remind Diana of “the fairy tale of a beautiful girl whose kiss turns a frog into a prince,” according to Reeman Dansie.
Also, it’s not the first time a Diana car has fetched a high price; her Audi convertible sold for £58,000 ($80,300) last year.