As most of the world is now aware Britain's Prince William – first son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana – is set to wed his long time partner Kate Middleton in just a few months time. As part of a high profile royal wedding the couple will undoubtedly be receiving a myriad of gifts including diamonds, other precious gems, and priceless artifacts from a variety of world leaders and global royalty.
However, it seems that the couple may also be receiving a gift that was once destined for William's parents but never quite made it – the Rainbow Collection, which is a collection of 301 colored diamonds that are said to be the largest and finest in the world. According to reports Saudi Arabian billionaires are keen to get their hands on the rare collection of diamonds – so that they can give them to Wills and Kate as a wedding gift!
The Saudi Arabian Royal family is said to have tried to buy the diamonds from dealer Eddie Elzas thirty years ago for the wedding of William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. However, Elzas turned down the offer. According to reports he is now keen to retire and wants to sell the collection. However, he has stipulated that they must be given to the royal couple.
One insider spoke about the competition amongst investors to buy the collection to give to the couple, who are due to marry on April 29th. He said: "Lots of Middle Eastern investors are keen to buy the collection and give them to William and Kate because it would be a huge badge of honor. A deal is now very close to being done and an announcement is set to be made soon." He added: "Mr. Elzas is due to retire soon so is looking to sell. But he will only sell if they go to William and Kate. He thinks it would be a fitting gift for the couple."
However, once again there could be a problem in store for the billionaires. It has been reported that the young couple, who have been together for eight years, are going to be asking for donations to chair favorite charities as wedding gifts rather than the more traditional diamonds, priceless jewels, and luxurious gifts, with some reports claiming that they may turn down gifts that are not donations!
However, it seems that the couple may also be receiving a gift that was once destined for William's parents but never quite made it – the Rainbow Collection, which is a collection of 301 colored diamonds that are said to be the largest and finest in the world. According to reports Saudi Arabian billionaires are keen to get their hands on the rare collection of diamonds – so that they can give them to Wills and Kate as a wedding gift!
The Saudi Arabian Royal family is said to have tried to buy the diamonds from dealer Eddie Elzas thirty years ago for the wedding of William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. However, Elzas turned down the offer. According to reports he is now keen to retire and wants to sell the collection. However, he has stipulated that they must be given to the royal couple.
One insider spoke about the competition amongst investors to buy the collection to give to the couple, who are due to marry on April 29th. He said: "Lots of Middle Eastern investors are keen to buy the collection and give them to William and Kate because it would be a huge badge of honor. A deal is now very close to being done and an announcement is set to be made soon." He added: "Mr. Elzas is due to retire soon so is looking to sell. But he will only sell if they go to William and Kate. He thinks it would be a fitting gift for the couple."
However, once again there could be a problem in store for the billionaires. It has been reported that the young couple, who have been together for eight years, are going to be asking for donations to chair favorite charities as wedding gifts rather than the more traditional diamonds, priceless jewels, and luxurious gifts, with some reports claiming that they may turn down gifts that are not donations!
