Auction
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: The largest auction of Princess Diana memorabilia since the late British princess sold dozens of her outfits months before her death is set to take place in California this week.
This highly anticipated event will feature an array of Diana’s personal items, including a midnight blue tulle dress and a flamenco-style lace-up number.
Nearly fifty pieces will go under the hammer in Beverly Hills, encompassing gowns, shoes, handbags, and hats.
The auction, titled “Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection,” brings together some of the princess’s favorite designers, such as Victor Edelstein, Murray Arbeid, and Catherine Walker.
Among the standout pieces are Arbeid’s blue diamante ball gown, which Diana wore in 1986 to the London premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” and a striking magenta lace dress by Edelstein.
Both items are expected to fetch up to $400,000, according to Julien’s Auctions, the house orchestrating the sale. Gabriela Schwartz of the auction house commented, “We are here celebrating Princess Diana’s elegance. We have some really standout pieces that Diana wore with a lot of pride and which are really emblematic of her style.”
Diana married Britain’s now-King Charles in 1981 in an opulent ceremony watched by tens of millions around the globe.
However, their fairy tale soon soured, and their tumultuous relationship became fodder for newspapers and gossip magazines, fueling a growing celebrity culture that exploded in the 1990s. The couple had two children, Princes William and Harry, but divorced in 1996 amid mutual infidelities and a tabloid frenzy.
Tragically, Diana died in a car crash in Paris the following year as she and her lover attempted to outrun paparazzi.
More than a quarter of a century later, the woman dubbed “The People’s Princess” remains unmatched as a celebrity and style icon, whose allure continues to captivate millions. Last year, a dress worn by Diana fetched an astounding $1.14 million at auction.
The current collection, which has toured the globe for months, is expected to generate immense interest by the time bidding closes on Thursday.
In addition to high couture items, the sale will also feature shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, Kurt Geiger, and Rayne, as well as letters penned by Diana herself, and a variety of other items connected to the British royal family.
The auction not only celebrates Diana’s timeless elegance and fashion sense but also her enduring legacy as a beloved figure. It offers a rare glimpse into her personal life and her exquisite taste in fashion, making it a must-watch event for fans and collectors around the world.
