Fury as lock of Princess Diana's hair is put up for sale on Amazon for £800

Described as just a 'few strands' of Diana's hair, the American seller has put the memorabilia in a frame along with a photograph and a facsimile signature. 

The framed hair is currently on sale for $1200 (around £800) on the online retail site.

However, a lock of hair is a step too far according to the British Monarchist Society, who have criticised the seller for putting royal hair in the marketplace.

A spokesman for the society told the Daily Star: 'The sale of modern royal hair makes us feel uneasy and we are sure Princes William and Harry would be disturbed by the auction too: it is, essentially, a body part.' 

They also added that they weren't surprised to see 'a lot such as this up for sale.' 

The framed photograph also appeared on ebay, although it has since expired and has yet to be relisted. It carried a price tag of $349.99 (around £230).

The seller is thought to be a Mr G Vernon, who is advertising his product via Mr Hamilton, an art dealer who lives in Minneapolis, and on Amazon with Ed Bedrick Autographs, a long-standing autographs business.

The listing on Amazon describes the lock of hair as '100 per cent authentic' and bills the sale as 'an extraordinary opportunity to purchase a piece of Authentic Princess Diana memorabilia.'

Although there's no indication of when the hair was taken from the princess, it doesn't seem to be a substantial cut of hair, with just a few strands seemingly placed 'over a scan of the original lock'.

The authentication document stretches to ten pages, although it's unclear what it contains. The Amazon agent for it is resolute, however, that it's genuine. In replying to a question about authenticity, Ed Bedrick Autographs said: 'This is an AUTHENTIC lock of Princess Diana's hair NOT synthetic. It comes with all documentation and authenticity for the piece.' 

The item has been on sale on Amazon since August, with apparently no serious bidders so far. 

(dailymail.co.uk)