Mario Testino's most renowned print of Diana, Princess of Wales, was auctioned at Philips De Pury on 20^th November. The iconic print first seen in Vanity Fair in 1997 sold for a huge £46,100, more than double the reserve price (£20,000).

The print was donated by

Peruvian, Mario Testino to raise funds for Save the Children's work in the photographer's homeland which was devastated by an earthquake on August 15 this year. The proceeds from the sale will go towards Save the Children's ongoing emergency work.

Almost three months after the devastating earthquake, life remains difficult for the more than 47,000 residents of Pueblo Nuevo District in Chincha, one of the hardest-hit areas in the province. Overall, almost 100,000 houses were destroyed and 1,200 schools damaged during the quake. Families are still struggling to return to normal. Save the Children are refurbishing schools, and helping families to rebuild their homes.

Testino said of the sale: "I am delighted at the great news that my print was sold just hours ago at such a good price. This sale will make all the difference to the work that Save the Children is now able to do in Peru. I hope to visit the projects over the coming few months. It will be wonderful to see for my own eyes the benefit that this auction will now bring to the children still suffering from last summer's earthquake."

Already poor before the quake struck, many businesses were damaged leaving people struggling to make a living. Many now find it hard to raise the cash needed to send their children to school. The funds raised will be used by Save the Children to help rebuild schools. Testino would like to help make education available for all the children in Pueblo Nuevo.


More Information:

To find out more about the auction, please visit www.savethechildren.org.uk/media or contact Kate Redman at Save the Children Media Unit: 0207 012 68 63

To be sent a broadcast quality video interview of Mario Testino regarding the print auction before the sale, or for a high resolution copy of the print itself please contact Kate Redman on: 0207 012 68 63 / 07831 650 409.

For a high resolution photo of the print being auctioned in the auction house, please contact getty images.

To find out more about Phillips de Pury & Company's auctioning house, please go to http://www.phillipsdepury.com or contact Genny Janvrin , Head of Photographs, London + 44 20 7318 4025