As Remainder Of Princess Diana's Estate Passes To Harry, Questions Remain

[cinrit]

Yesterday marked Prince Harry's 30th birthday. His mother, the iconic Lady Di, passed away just over 17 years ago, following the tragic crash as Diana and Dodi Fayed sped away from paparazzi in France.  What was so special about Harry's 30th birthday (other than the fact that he's still single, to the delight of eligible women throughout England)?  That's the day on which Harry became entitled to receive the remaining half of Princess Diana's assets.

After Diana passed on August 31, 1997, her mother, Frances Ruth Shand Kydd, and her sister, Lady Elizabeth Sarah Lavinia McCorquodale, became executors of her Estate, based on Diana's last will and testament dated June 1, 1993 (amended through a codicil in 1996).  The probate filings revealed that Diana left behind assets valued at around £21 million (or worth about 31.5 million in USD at the time), netting £17 million after estate taxes.  Originally, the will called for these assets to be held in trust for Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, until they turned 25.

As to her collection of personal property (called "chattels" in the will), Diana's will directed the executors "to give effect as soon as possible but not later than two years following my death to any written memorandum or notes of wishes of mine."  Diana penned a Letter of Wishes, dated the day after she signed the will, and asked that all of her jewelry and three-fourths of her chattels pass to her sons, with one-quarter of the rest earmarked for her 17 godchildren.  Seems clear, right?

More: As Remainder Of Princess Diana's Estate Passes To Harry, Troubling Questions Remain - Forbes

Cindy