Controversy does not elude the people’s princess even over a decade after her death. In all eagerness to help, Princess Diana had said months before her death that she would wish her clothes went to help the poor and needy.
Her priceless dresses are now the core point of a bankruptcy fight. People’s Princess Charitable Foundation Inc founder Maureen Rorech Dunkel is fighting to keep gowns worn by the princess. The tiff has gone on for over a year. This time, most of Diana’s royal dress collection is at stake.
Dunkel sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 7, a day before a state court hearing was to choose who should care for five of 13 gowns, which were displayed at Downtown Disney in Orlando through November.
Dunkel and the non-profit was sued by HRH Ventures LLC, managed by Patricia C Sullivan in October. HRH Ventures LLC said they defaulted on $1.5 million in loans that were secured by 13 Princess Diana gowns.
Court records say the `Dresses for Humanity’ exhibit at Disney did not make money to cover costs. Dunkel counters that the exhibit did not click because HRH wrung control of it from her.
Dunkel’s Bush Ross PA bankruptcy attorney Jeffrey Warren, said recession has led to financial problems, but that she plans to pay her creditors.
Dunkel is in the middle of other mortgage battles too. After the unexpected death of Princess Diana on August 31, 1997, Dunkel, one of the founders of professional staffing firm Kforce Inc, became a star because she owned 13 Diana dresses. She had bought them for $700,000 at a Christie’s auction two months before the princess was killed.
Via: portfolio, princessdianadresses
