Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Tartan.

Highlander, the Front Street retailer in the Butterfield Place Mall, has distribution rights from the licensed maker of the tartan.

Highlander manager, Dicky King, said that those purchasing the memorial tartan are also automatic contributors to a charitable cause.

Mr. King said, "My supplier, Lochcarron of Scotland, which is one of the world's largest tartan suppliers, had approached Kensington Palace about doing an official memorial tartan for Diana, Princess of Wales.

"I'm happy to report that I've been accepted as a Bermuda distributor. And as is the case for all distributors worldwide, the tartans can only be obtained by special order.

"The tartan is available in kilted skirts, scarves, travel rugs, shawls, fabric by the yard, and other items of clothing and accessories.

"The official tartan design was submitted to, and subsequently sanctioned by the Scottish Tartan Authority. And Kensington Palace has given its blessing.'' Lochcarron was required to submit their plan to Lord Chamberlain at Buckingham Palace for approval. And registration was eventually acknowledged by The Patents Office.

After considerable publicity, Lord Chamberlain's office contacted Lochcarron again requesting a delay to further marketing activity until the charity had an opportunity to organise licence agreements.

Sales of the tartan earn royalties that are being donated to The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund at Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace eventually approved the tartan, with arrangements to have Lochcarron donate the royalties directly to the memorial fund.

Mr. King said, "That means apart from the fact that customers can obtain a beautiful tartan product of pure wool, they are also donating money to The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.'' But he said, "It is all being done by special order. None of the distributing shops around the world are actually stocking the tartan. Customers would have to come in for a fitting, because everything is made to measure.

"The suppliers are doing it this way because they are concerned about the possibility of retailers stocking the product and capitalising on the Royal name, through price-gouging and other sales techniques.

"This also keeps the price reasonably uniform throughout stores worldwide.'' The Princess of Wales was tragically killed in a car accident in Paris in the early hours of August 31 last year.

ROYAL MERCHANDISE -- Dicky King of Front Street retailer, Highlander, displays the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Tartan.