Somehow This Is News: Princess Diana And Dodi Al-Fayed Were Engaged; Bought Ring From Repossi

Though it has long been suspected to be the truth, today Parisian jeweler Alfredo Repossi confirmed that he did indeed sell an engagment ring to Dodi Al-Fayed just hours before both Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales, were killed in a car crash.

Why would Repossi go "public" with the information now, nearly ten years later?  Isn't that kind of, um, unnecessary?

Didn't we already know that?  Is he some kind of snake?

This guy has been talking his mouth off, showing copies of his consignment book, leaking security video, having family members and employees accidentally-on-purpose reveal information, giving affadavits, talking freely, not talking at all, then saying oh-but-I-mustn't-talk, I-am-a-jeweler, the-nature-of-my-business, it-is-oh-so-private, then capitulating and saying he was coerced by Mohammed Al-Fayed, etc. for the last 9+ years.

This is news?

Evidently, or so he says, reports have alleged that the ring was bought by Al-Fayed for another woman, or that the ring was not an engagement ring, or have otherwise sought to discredit the nature of Dodi and Princess Diana's relationship.  On advice from their lawyers, the jewelers had not made the information public until this time.  And he's just here to set the record straight.  Riiiiiiight.

According to Repossi, Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed first found the ring in his Monte Carlo boutique in early August.  They then asked him to have it sized and ready to pick up in Paris by August 30, 1997.  He picked it up at the Place Vendome boutique hours before they were both killed.

"Dodi Al-Fayed went to the Repossi boutique on the Place Vendome (Paris) to collect the engagment ring, which came from the 'Say Yes' collection, to give it to Princess Diana."

According to Mohammed Al-Fayed, she did "Say Yes" and the whole car accident was a British plot to kill them so Diana wouldn't marry a Muslim.  Seems unlikely, but who knows.  Repossi, at times, claims, he was coerced into leaking video and making claims it was an engagement ring by the elder Al-Fayed.  And now?  Well, now, evidently, it's an engagement ring after all.

I think the "public statement" is a bit shrill.  We already knew that.  He made the public statement(s) already.  Ad nauseum.

Don't get me wrong, the guy's body of work is impressive.  His client list is probably more so.

Yeah, that's his black and white diamond snake with emerald eyes up there at the top of the page.

He's obsessed with India.  His bio talks about his many trips to buy stones and gain inspiration.  Look at the majarajah-inspired piece at left.  No doubt a pigeon-blood ruby of the very finest quality.

He's the Official Supplier to HSH Prince Rainier III and the Grimaldis, which means he gets to dress up that trainwreck Princess Stephanie and whatever circus performer she's married to, too.  Which is probably punishment enough for these "public statement" shenanigans.

What I want to know is when will Mohammed Al-Fayed show us the ring?

My guess?  August 30, 2007.

(photos of Repossi jewelry from Casas & Gente)

Comments

[Wendy]

Susie, I tell you, I am so very fatigued with conspiracy theories, what might have happened if for some reason we didn't need to keep revisiting the circumstances of an horrific crash that happened with a drunk driver at the wheel in a chase situation.

But the pictures of the sparkly things are nice!

[Susanna]

Yes, why draw additional attention to oneself if not for the sake of publicity?

It was tragic. If anyone is entitled to bring attention to it, it is the families of the deceased, not the jeweler to the deceased.

But, yes! Sparkly and pretty, pretty! May he be doomed to a life of servitude under Princess Stephanie.

[Wendy]

Indeed!!!! (And crass free publicity at that.)

[Christine]

I'm really disgusted the way people keep bringing up things about Princess Diana. A memorial service, fine, a book to make money no.

I am dying of curiousity though as to what the ring looked like.

[colin]

I wonder when he got paid for the ring?

[danny diamonds]

It was an unfortunate accident, would have wished she could have had the nice ring.

[Gemstone Rings]

Fantastic ! This snake shaped ring is looking gorgeous. I would like to buy same for myself.