Princess Diana's mother has made a television appearance in the hope of recovering £100,000 worth of jewellery that was stolen from her home while she was giving evidence at the trial of butler Paul Burrell. Frances Shand Kydd revealed the items had important sentimental links to her late daughter.
"The bracelet and earrings were tangible links to my deceased children, as was the ring my father gave me and the pearl choker I wore to the weddings of all my children." Speaking on the British TV programme Crimewatch UK, she added: "I don't think they can bring happiness to anyone but me because they are too steeped in emotion."
The 66-year-old revealed that a gold bracelet identical to the one the late Princess of Wales wore on her wedding day was among the items taken. "I gave the bracelet to Diana for her wedding. She wore it on the day and it was with her for the rest of her life. Only two were ever made." The thieves also took a pair of sapphire earrings that commemorated the life of her son John, who died just hours after being born.
It is the first time police have used the show in the hope of solving a crime involving someone close to the royal family. They believe the criminals were professional jewel thieves as they managed to disable a sophisticated security system in order to enter the house. They also cut telephone lines to Mrs Shand Kydd's isolated home in Scotland. Detectives are hunting for a man of medium build between 25 and 35 years of age, who was spotted near the house on the night of the burglary.
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