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.
