PEOPLE

FOR the first time since her wedding in 1981, Princess Diana has appeared in public without her sapphire and diamond engagement…

FOR the first time since her wedding in 1981, Princess Diana has appeared in public without her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, a British newspaper reported yesterday.

The ring cost the Prince of Wales £24,500 when he bought it for Diana shortly before their marriage in 1981. She has kept wearing the ring despite her separation from Charles in 1992. London's Evening Standard reported that Princess Diana left the ring at home when she attended a charity ball in Rome on Wednesday night. It was replaced by a large aquamarine ring.

South African President Nelson Mandela will crown his state visit to Britain next month with a symbolic and emotional appearance on the balcony of South Africa House.

He will go to the Trafalgar Square embassy, for years the focus of "Free Mandela" demonstrations during his imprisonment in South Africa, on the last day of the four day visit, Buckingham Palace announced yesterday. His visit to the square is expected to attract huge crowds.

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Jethro Tull founder, Ian Anderson, is making a good recovery from a blood clot which threatened his life.

Anderson (48) is recuperating at home in Britain after extensive treatment for a leg thrombosis in Sydney, Australia.