See Diana’s personal items at Buckingham display | CNN

See Diana’s personal items at Buckingham display

By Francesca Street, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 8:35 PM EDT, Sun September 10, 2017
To mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Buckingham Palace is showcasing a selection of the princess's personal belongings. Many have been chosen by her sons Princes William and Harry.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Buckingham Palace is showcasing a selection of the princess's personal belongings. Many have been chosen by her sons Princes William and Harry.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The centerpiece of the display is Diana's desk. It was here that she would sit and work, writing letters and reading official briefings. The desk has been arranged to reflect Diana's favorite trinkets, including photographs of her sons.
The centerpiece of the display is Diana's desk. It was here that she would sit and work, writing letters and reading official briefings. The desk has been arranged to reflect Diana's favorite trinkets, including photographs of her sons.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Diana loved music -- her collection included albums by Elton John, George Michael and Diana Ross. The new exhibition displays a case of cassette tapes that belonged to the princess.
Diana loved music -- her collection included albums by Elton John, George Michael and Diana Ross. The new exhibition displays a case of cassette tapes that belonged to the princess.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The display is part of a wider exhibition that features gifts given to Queen Elizabeth II during her 65-year reign. The retrospective runs from July 22 to October 1, 2017.
The display is part of a wider exhibition that features gifts given to Queen Elizabeth II during her 65-year reign. The retrospective runs from July 22 to October 1, 2017.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Before she was Diana Princess of Wales, she was Diana Spencer. A wooden school trunk bearing "D. Spencer" was kept by Diana in her sitting room alongside her childhood typewriter.
Before she was Diana Princess of Wales, she was Diana Spencer. A wooden school trunk bearing "D. Spencer" was kept by Diana in her sitting room alongside her childhood typewriter.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Diana regularly wrote to thank those who welcomed her on her official visits -- using her embossed writing paper.
Diana regularly wrote to thank those who welcomed her on her official visits -- using her embossed writing paper.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The display includes Diana's leather photo frame, which contained photographs of her sons and friends. The exhibition also features her ballet shoes -- the Princess was an avid dancer and passionate about ballet.
The display includes Diana's leather photo frame, which contained photographs of her sons and friends. The exhibition also features her ballet shoes -- the Princess was an avid dancer and passionate about ballet.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The exhibit coincides with the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace -- when the royal residence opens its doors to the public. It's being held in the Music Room, also used for royal christenings.
The exhibit coincides with the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace -- when the royal residence opens its doors to the public. It's being held in the Music Room, also used for royal christenings.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Princess Diana's personal belongings on display at Buckingham Palace
CNN  — 

From Lionel Richie cassette tapes to her beloved ballet shoes, personal objects that reveal the private life of Princess Diana are going on display in Buckingham Palace.

The London exhibition is part of a tribute to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1997 death of the Princess of Wales, which is explored in CNN’s “The Rewind: ’90s Edition” podcast.

Many of the personal belongings on display have been chosen by her sons Princes William and Harry. The selection is part of a larger exhibition – entitled Royal Gifts – which features items gifted to Queen Elizabeth II during her 65-year reign.

A life remembered

The desk used by Princess Diana in Kensington Palace is the centerpiece of the Buckingham Palace display.
The desk used by Princess Diana in Kensington Palace is the centerpiece of the Buckingham Palace display.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

The centerpiece of the Diana display is the princess’s desk. Here, she would sit and work, often listening to her favorite records.

The desk has been arranged to reflect Diana’s favorite belongings, including family photographs of her sons.

Diana loved music -- from Elton John to opera.
Diana loved music -- from Elton John to opera.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

A box of cassette tapes includes classics by Lionel Richie and Elton John – while Diana’s childhood typewriter and school trunk have pride of place.

Also on display are also gifts Diana was presented with on her travels – including a silver Cartier calender presented to the princess from US President Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy in 1985.

Summer opening

The display is situated in Buckingham Palace's Music Room, also the location for royal christenings.
The display is situated in Buckingham Palace's Music Room, also the location for royal christenings.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

The exhibition – which runs until October 1, 2017 – coincides with the summer opening of Buckingham Palace.

The royal residence opens its doors to the public every summer. In 2016, over half a million visitors passed through the palace’s halls.