Kim Kardashian Gives Princess Diana’s Famed Cross Necklace Its First Public Outing

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Kim Kardashian, known for her penchant for fashion history, showcased another significant cultural artifact at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday: a diamond-lined cross pendant once beloved by Princess Diana.

Kardashian acquired the necklace for £163,800 (approximately $212,000) in January 2023 during the final moments of a Sotheby’s auction. Her red carpet appearance marked the first public display of the piece since Diana’s passing in 1997.

This remarkable necklace, crafted by Garrard, the British court jewelers, in the early 20th century, features approximately 5.25 carats of diamonds and measures 5.4 inches by 3.7 inches. Originally purchased in the 1980s by the late Palestinian-British businessman Naim Attallah, the necklace was lent to Diana multiple times, including for a notable charity gala in 1987 that supported Birthright, an organization dedicated to protecting human rights during pregnancy and childbirth. At that event, Diana paired the striking piece with a matching maroon velvet gown designed by Catherine Walker.

For her debut, Kardashian chose to style the necklace differently, significantly shortening the pearl chain and pairing it with a stack of other jewels, including a six-strand pearl choker. Rather than coordinating her outfit with the necklace’s amethyst hue, she used it as a bold accent against her otherwise all-white ensemble. However, the deep plunge of her gown’s neckline alongside the necklace’s historical significance sparked debate online. Some commentators felt that the daring cut clashed with the religious symbolism of the cross, while others expressed concern over Kardashian’s ability to wear such heirlooms, particularly in light of past controversies regarding the preservation of historical garments. One Instagram commenter remarked, “Why are we still giving this woman precious heirlooms like Diana’s necklace after she broke Marilyn’s dress?”

As for the future of the pendant, it remains unclear whether Kardashian will continue to wear it or if it will be added to her extensive collection. When she purchased the piece, Kristian Spofforth, Sotheby’s head of jewelry in London, expressed enthusiasm for its new ownership. “This is a bold piece of jewelry by its size, color, and style which cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion – or indeed both,” he stated in a press release. “We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.”

 

Chris Martin Falls into Hole in Stage During Coldplay Gig in Australia

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Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin experienced a dramatic fall during a performance in Australia, but fortunately emerged unharmed after tumbling into a hole on stage.

Video footage shared on social media captured the incident, which took place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday. While engaging with the audience during a break between songs, Martin suddenly vanished from sight, only to be caught by someone positioned beneath the stage. He quickly returned to his feet, seemingly unscathed.

“That’s uh, not planned. Thank you for catching me, so much. Thank you, guys,” Martin remarked, adding humorously, “Holy sh*t, that was nearly a YouTube moment.”

Following the fall, he continued with the performance, which was the fourth and final concert in Melbourne as part of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour.

This concert was notable for another reason: bassist Guy Berryman was absent due to illness. Coldplay acknowledged this unusual situation on Instagram, stating, “Tonight was the first time in our band’s history that we’ve played a show without all four members onstage. Guy was taken ill unexpectedly just before the show. Thank you for carrying us through it.”

After Melbourne, Coldplay is scheduled to perform four shows in Sydney before heading to Auckland, New Zealand. The tour will culminate with ten performances at Wembley Stadium in London, starting August 22 next year.

Martin’s mishap is reminiscent of a recent incident involving singer Olivia Rodrigo, who also fell into a hole during her concert at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne while running on stage lit only by a spotlight, managing to catch herself with her arms.

 

U.S. Elections in Spotlight as Polls Open

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What You Need to Know Today

U.S. Markets Mostly Gain After Elections
Historically, U.S. stock markets have generally experienced gains following presidential elections, despite some potential short-term volatility. According to data, the three major U.S. indices have consistently recorded average gains between Election Day and year-end since 1980.

Markets Slip Ahead of Election Day
On Monday, stock markets declined as investors braced for the U.S. presidential election and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.61%, while the S&P 500 decreased by 0.28%. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.33%, closing at 18,179.98. In the Asia-Pacific region, markets exhibited mixed performances on Tuesday, with China’s CSI 300 index leading gains, rising by 2.28%.

China Reviews Plan to Raise Local Government Debt
China’s parliament standing committee reviewed a proposal on Monday to increase the local government debt limit, according to state media reports. Local authorities in China have historically managed significant public service spending but are facing challenges due to declining revenue from land sales to developers.

Poor China Takings Weigh on U.S. Firms
Weak revenue from China has negatively impacted the earnings of several U.S. companies, primarily due to low consumer confidence and rising competition from domestic brands. Among those affected are Apple, Starbucks, Nike, and LVMH, though some companies, such as Tesla and athleisure brands Adidas and Lululemon, have shown more resilience.

[PRO] Investors Bullish on Equities
Despite the heightened volatility in the market surrounding the U.S. presidential election, consumer confidence in equities has reached an all-time high, according to the latest Consumer Confidence survey from The Conference Board.

The Bottom Line
As America prepares to chart its course for the next four years in the presidential election, the global community is closely watching the proceedings. Candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties have spent months campaigning across the nation. Polls in the Eastern states are set to open for Election Day shortly.

The contrasting views of the candidates regarding the future of America are likely to inject uncertainty into the markets. However, historical trends indicate that stocks typically rise after elections, regardless of the outcome. Analysis shows that the three major U.S. indices have experienced gains between Election Day and the end of the year in every presidential election year since 1980.

Nonetheless, investors hoping for immediate gains on Wednesday might be disappointed. The three indices have seen declines in the session and the week following Election Day in the past, though they typically recover within a month.

Lines from Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” resonate with investors who are prepared to endure market uncertainty following the election:
“The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.”