PRINCESS DIANA & THE ROYAL PRINCES HIGHGROVE SADDLE Start Price AUD 28,500.00 Current Price AUD 28,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 End Time Wednesday, December 03, 2008 Location sunrise beach, Queensland See more about 'PRINCESS DIANA & THE ROYAL PRINCES HIGHGROVE SADDLE' Description THIS WONDERFUL HACKING SADDLE WAS USED IN THE EARLY YEARS OF MARRIAGE BY THE PRINCESS OF WALES & BOTH OF THE PRINCES.  IT WAS ONE OF OVER 30 SADDLES IN THE HIGHGROVE STABLES, AND ACCORDING TO ERIC MANCINI (ROYAL GROOM) IT WAS PROBABLY PRINCESS DIANAS FAVOURITE.  SHE OFTEN QUIPPED TO ERIC THAT SHE AND HER BOYS FELT SAFE WHEN RIDING WITH THE 'PARAS'.  THE SADDLE WAS A WEDDING GIFT FROM ALL RANKS OF THE PARACHUTE REGIMENTS TO THE ROYAL COUPLE. IN HER YOUNG YEARS LADY DIANA SPENCER HAD A BAD RIDING FALL AND BECAME WARY OF RIDING, BUT WHEN THE PRINCE OF WALES INSTRUCTED ERIC TO TEACH THE YOUNG PRINCES TO RIDE, DIANA TOOK UP RIDING AGAIN TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER BOYS.  THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS GAINED FROM ERIC MANCINI. ON LEAVING HIGHGROVE IN 1988 ERIC WAS PRESENTED WITH THE SADDLE BY PADDY WHITELORD, (HIGHGROVE STATE MANAGER) UNDER INSTRUCTIONS BY H.R.H PRINCE CHARLES. THE SADDLE COMES IN A PADDED GREEN TRAVELING BAG AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH ONLY MINOR RUSTING ON THE SURSINGLE BUCKLES.  ON ONE SIDE IT FEATURES THE PLAQUE OF THOROUGHBRED SADDLERY, WALSALL, ENGLAND.  ON THE OTHER SIDE IS A SILVER PLAQUE WHICH PROCLAIMS---"TO H.R.H THE PRINCE OF WALES ON THE OCCASION OF HIS MARRIAGE.  FROM ALL RANKS OF THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT 29th JULY 1981".  PRINCE CHARLES WAS COLNEL IN CHIEF OF THE PARAS. THE SADDLE AND BAG ARE SOLD WITH A STATEMENT OF GIFT AND OWNERSHIP BY ERIC MANCINI, PERSONAL GROOM TO THE HIGHGROVE ROYAL FAMILY BETWEEN 1983-1988.  ALSO INCLUDED WITH THIS LOT ARE COPIES OF TWO NEW ZEALAND WOMENS WEEKLY MAGAZINE ARTICLES ON ERICS ROYAL CAREER (ARTICLES DATED 1989 AND 1997). THIS SADDLE IDEALLY WILL RAISE TENS OF THOUSANDS IN CHARITY RIDES ONE DAY, AS WILL PROBABLY BEFIT THE WISHES OF PRINCESS DIANA, OR AT LEAST BE RIDDEN AND CHERISHED BY ONE OF HER DEVOTEES. THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A 21th OR TO A VERY SPECIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE. HAPPY ROYAL BIDDING Place a Bid!