28 MAY 2003
Princess Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is collaborating on a new biography of her late sibling. The book, which has been commissioned by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, is being hailed as the first volume backed by her estate.

The new biography will focus on Di's humanitarian work, and funds raised will go to the Princess' favourite charities. The project has been backed by her mother Frances Shand Kydd, with Nelson Mandela asked to write the forward.

"There are hundreds of books about the Princess, but this is the first time one has been authorised by her estate," said spokeswoman Jo Bexley. "This will be a story that hasn't been told. In all the books that have been written, few have looked properly at her charity work."

It is the first time Lady Sarah has spoken out about her sister since the tragic car crash that took her life in 1997. The new book, which is scheduled to hit the shelves in autumn next year, will also contain previously unseen photographs.

"There are so many unpleasant things that have been written about Princess Diana, the time has come to remember this special and positive side to her life," said author Ros Coward. "I want to give an authentic view of her charitable work and I want to champion her causes so that her memory is preserved."