UK: LONDON: FORMER HOME OF PRINCESS DIANA UP FOR SALE

(10 Jun 1998) English/Nat
The London apartment where the Princess of Wales once said she spent the happiest years of her life is for sale to offers of more than 700 thousand dollars.
A-P-T-V was given exclusive access to the South Kensington home where Diana lived for nearly two years before her engagement to Prince Charles.
The real estate agents have already been flooded with hundreds of enquiries since the apartment went on the market last week - but no firm offers as yet.
This is where Princess Diana lived for nearly two years when she worked as a humble London nanny.
She spent her last night in this apartment before the official announcement was made of her engagement to Prince Charles.
The three bedroom property was a coming of age present for the then Lady Diana Spencer from her parents in July 1979.
Estate agent Jonathan Blakesley has shown dozens of prospective buyers around the flat since it went on the market.
SOUNDBITE: English
Welcome not only to Coleherne Court, but number 60. Just a little bit about the block itself. As you know the Princess of Wales as she later became, lived here for two years prior to her marriage to His Royal Highness. Coleherne Court is a very attractive block here in this part of London, built in about 1902 in what we call the Edwardian period, consisting of about 200 flats surrounded by a very pretty garden which I'll show you - but first of all let me show you the flat, and we'll start in the drawing room.
SUPER CAPTION: Jonathan Blakesely, Estate agent
Diana had two flat mates here who became firm friends - Carolyn Bartholomew and Virginia Pittman.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
This is the main sitting room of the flat. As you can see it's very pretty with double windows. And it's this room which I can really imagine the young Diana would have sat in with her two flat mates having fun, joking, laughing, contemplating their futures and so on. She often used to say this was the happiest time of her life when she lived here and you can see why yourself. Let's go this way.
SUPER CAPTION: Jonathan Blakesely, Estate Agent
The current owners - an oil executive and his wife - have lived here for six years with two children.
They do not wish to be named, but they are hoping that the intense interest in all things to do with Diana will dramatically increase the price.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Well, the response has really been quite staggering. We've had calls from all over the world, plus of course our own country. And it's really because of the Princess of Wales, Diana factor as I call it. And obviously our clients are keen not to be seen to be cashing in on the story which is why they've offered to give about ten per cent of the proceeds in excess of about 700 thousand dollars, the asking price of the property, to the Memorial Fund by way of saying thank you to the Princess for any increase in value that the flat might accrue.
SUPER CAPTION: Jonathan Blakesely, Estate agent
Princess Diana's parents paid a mere 80-thousand dollars for the property when they bought it.
She charged her flat mates 25 dollars a week in rent.
Diana took the master bedroom and wrote ``Chief Chick'' on her door so that no-one would forget her landlady status.
She was said to have imposed a strict cleaning rota and was incredibly proud of her home.
The only troubled time they had was when the apartment was burgled and most of Diana's jewellery was taken.
Current residents of the block, which has a large communal garden, include Sophie Rhys-Jones, Prince Edward's girlfriend.
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[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Very quaint.

[@andrenabailey8734]

why is here home being sold, in the next one i want to meet princess diana! that was my mother

[@advarkmerrygoround1425]

Jonathan Blaksley is the agent trying to sell this flat. He later became synonymous for his sexual prowess. Sadly he ended up being arrested for the following~~~~ The Comet; a local newspaper for Hitchin stated that- "A St Ippolyts man has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after he attempted to set fire to a former employee. Jonathon Blaksley, of Stevenage Road, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on March 28 after an investigation into his manipulative, controlling and violent behaviour towards his victim. In April 2016, Blaksley disclosed a private sexual image, without the consent of the person in it, with intent to cause them distress. More than a year later, in October 2017, he was found in possession of pepper spray. On April 19 last year, he attempted to set fire to his victim following an argument." How unfortunate I wish him well R