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One of Princess Diana’s famous looks is going up for auction today in London with Kerry Taylor Auctions in a lot titled “Passion for Fashion.” Along with two other dark blue dresses, her Victor Edelstein midnight blue, velvet, off-the-shoulder gown is available to bid on.
The iconic gown was worn by the princess to the White House State dinner given by President Reagan on November 9th, 1985, where she memorably danced with a young John Travolta. In 1997, she re-wore the dress for her portrait by Lord Snowdon and even accessorized with the same necklace she wore to the State dinner. That same (tragic) year, just two months before she passed, Diana auctioned off many of her dresses, including the Victor Edelstein, to raise money for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Fund and the AIDS Crisis Trust—this specific gown sold for $222,500. Since then, the look has changed hands a number of times (and gone up in value) along the way.
With any excuse to look back at her timeless outfits and our season 3 of The Crown obsession top of mind, we’ve rounded up some of the most stand-out, stylish, and unforgettable ensembles worn by Princess Diana over the years.
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The Ultimate “Revenge” Dress
Might as well kick things off with the LBD that rocked the world and is sure to be on every brokenhearted woman’s inspiration board for years to come. On June 29, 1994, the Princess of Wales put on the iconic outfit, by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, and headed to Vanity Fair’s fundraiser for the Serpentine Gallery. The night before, Prince Charles revealed that he had been unfaithful to his wife, so this off-brand dress and definitely not-royal-family-approved look was a statement to say the least.
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Engagement Announcement Ensemble
After dating for around six months, Lady Diana and Prince Charles announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. There was speculation as to which designer she would choose to create her engagement outfit—the word on the street was that royal favorite Bellville Sassoon was enlisted, but the assistant didn’t recognize Lady Spencer. Diana ended up finding this royal blue set at Harrods.
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Wedding Ceremony Dress
On July 29, 1981, just a few months after announcing their engagement, Princess Diana walked down the aisle at St. Paul’s Cathedral in this spectacular gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The dress was declared the “most closely guarded secret in fashion history,” and was kept secret until it was unveiled on the day of. The ivory taffeta gown was embroidered with frilled lace, sequins, and 10,000 pearls and estimated to be worth $115,000.
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Taj Mahal Look
In Agra, on February 11, 1992, just before it was announced that Princess Diana and Prince Charles were no more, she visited the Taj Mahal, which itself has a tragic love story. It was noted that this was the first outing where the press noticed signs of the marriage’s end. She re-wore an outfit by Catherine Walker, first worn in 1989 during a visit to Hong Kong with Prince Charles and again in 1990 to the Royal Ascot.
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1983 Australia Tour Benny Ong Outfit
In 1983, Princess Diana and Prince Charles made an official visit to Australia—and we’re so excited to see this depicted in The Crown’s season four! We know their visit to Ayers Rock has already been filmed, where the princess wore a light, breezy belted dress by Benny Ong. See below for the on set picture!
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Sleeping at Royal Albert Hall Gown
To attend the Centenary Concert of “The Various in Various,” performed by The Royal College of Organists, Princess Diana wore this fairytale of a dress by Belleville Sassoon . . . but was also famously caught snoozing in it.
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Edwardian in Canada
In June of 1983, Diana dressed in Edwardian fashion for a Klondike evening barbecue at Ford Edmonton in Canada with Prince Charles. We love the real look of her in a buffet line.
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Athleisure But Make it Royal
Princess Diana’s biker short and sweatshirt combo was recently memorialized in Vogue Paris with a photoshoot starring Hailey Bieber recreating some of her most notable looks. Whether she was sporting American college apparel (like Northwestern and Harvard), or Virgin Atlantic merch, we’re still very much in favor of leaving our houses like this.
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Heads of State V.E. Remembrance Service Look
The Princess of Wales attended the service in Hyde Park with Prince William and Harry and Prince Charles in 1995. She wore a light blue belted look with Jimmy Choo shoes and a Versace pillbox hat. To complete the outfit, she accessorized with pearl earrings, a layered pearl necklace, and strappy heels.
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The Last Birthday Dress
On July 1st, 1997, Princess Diana celebrated her 36th birthday at the Tate Gallery and wore a beaded black dress by Jacques Azagury, who made the gown as a present for the royal.
Needless to say, we miss Princess Diana and will never stop being inspired by her iconic style. She was a much beloved—but also controversial—member of the royal family; no matter what though, her impact on the fashion industry and humanitarian efforts around the world will forever live on.