Major to advise princes on Diana’s will

LONDON, Nov 23: Former Prime minister John Major has been named special adviser to Princes William and Harry to help them settle a legal ...

LONDON, Nov 23: Former Prime minister John Major has been named special adviser to Princes William and Harry to help them settle a “legal wrangle” over the estate left by their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, The Sunday Times reported.

Major who had already agreed to act as intermediary between Prince Charles and Princess Diana when their marriage ran into difficulty, “has agreed to protect the interests of the two princes in sensitive negotiations over the will left by Diana,” the paper said.

Citing government sources, the paper said Buckingham Palace had consulted Downing Street (the Prime minister’s Office) which had approved the choice of Major.

Story continues below this ad

The Sunday Times said the boys’ father Prince Charles had suggested Major who had already had a meeting with the two princes.

According to the paper, Diana failed to change her will after her divorce from Prince Charles. When she wrote the will, her personal estate came to roughly one million Pounds (1.7 million Dollars). However when she died, she was worth 21 million pounds (35 million Dollars).

This includes the 17 million Pounds she received from the divorce and three million Pounds more in interest.

Diana’s memorial

Queen Elizabeth II wants to turn Kensington Palace into a memorial museum for Diana and plans to move out all royal family members now living there, The Sunday Times reported.

Story continues below this ad

The idea was one of several reforms to the monarchy envisaged by the queen in the wake of Diana’s death, the report said. Citing “senior sources”, the paper said queen now accepted that the royal family had to cut expenses in response to public sentiment that the monarchy should be less aloof and closer to the people. The paper said the measure was expected to be announced early next year, though no final decision has been taken yet.

When all royal family members have moved out, Kensington Palace will be converted into a memorial for Diana and will house the royal collection of paintings which includes more than 7,000 paintings scattered among various royal residences.