Princess Diana’s Dress Sells for a Record-Breaking $1.1 Million at Auction — 11 Times the Estimated Price

The dress by Jacques Azagury, once owned by PEOPLE, was first worn by Princess Diana during a 1985 visit to Italy

The allure of Princess Diana is still strong, as proven by the hefty price tag attached to the royal’s latest dress up for auction.

Julien’s Auctions announced on Sunday that Princess Diana’s ballerina-length evening dress by Moroccan-British fashion designer Jacques Azagury that she wore in Florence, Italy in April 1985 and again to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 1986, along with a matching illustration, sold for $1,148,080. The winning bid was 11 times its original estimate of $100,000.

The identity of the buyer is unknown.

The sale shatters the previous world record for the most expensive dress worn by Princess Diana to be auctioned. The previous record was set earlier this year when her purple evening dress by designer Victor Edelstein sold for $604,800.

According to Julien’s Auctions, “The dress with padded shoulder pads features a black velvet bodice with embroidered stars in metallic thread made from Jakob Schlaepher fabric with a two-tier royal blue organza skirt with a sash and bow. The ballerina skirt was the perfect nod to Diana’s love of dance and her being a patron of The English National Ballet.”

The dress was once owned by PEOPLE, purchased for $26,450 at the Christie’s of New York auction that Diana held shortly before her tragic death in 1997. PEOPLE loaned the ensemble to Kensington Palace for the “Fashion Rules” exhibit in 2013.

Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales attend the Mayor's dinner during a visit to Florence, Italy, April 1985

Princess Diana and Prince Charles in April 1985.Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Were Encouraged to Dress Like Princess Diana, New Book Claims: ‘Diana Cosplay’

In addition to the Azagury dress, a blush pink chiffon Emanuels blouse worn by Diana in her 1981 engagement portrait sold in the same auction for $381,000, nearly four times its original estimate of $80,000.

Princess Diana wore numerous dresses by Azagury in her life. Recently, five glamorous evening gowns identical to the ones designed by Azagury and worn by Diana were sold to a private collector in Los Angeles for an undisclosed sum.

Diana, Princess of Wales during a trip to Florence, 23rd April 1985

Princess Diana in Florence in April 1985.Georges De Keerle/Getty

“The whole collection means a lot to me, and the only reason I am selling them is because as of five weeks ago, I retired,” Azagury recently told PEOPLE. “I really wanted people to keep enjoying these iconic dresses and ideally to keep the whole collection together.”

The retired designer added that Princess Diana was “always very excited by fashion, and she knew she would please so many people just waiting for her to come out in the next dress, whether they were waiting in the streets or watching her on the television. She took a long time making sure that everything was just right, choosing the right shoes and jewelry.”

A dress worn by Princess Diana at a dinner in Florence in 1985, at the Fashion Rules Royal dress exhibition in Kensington Palace, which opens tomorrow in central London

Princess Diana’s dress displayed at Kensington Palace in 2013.John Stillwell/PA Images via Getty

How Kate Middleton’s Power Pantsuit Era Nods to Princess Diana: ‘She’s Transforming Before Our Eyes’

While Azagury is happy to share the dresses with the public, some of which come with sketches and personal handwritten notes from Princess Diana, he has held some sentimental items back for himself.

“One of the most precious things that I have is a framed picture that the princess sent me the morning she was leaving for France, from which she never returned,” he said.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a dinner held by the Mayor of Florence during a tour of Italy in April, 1985

Princess Diana and Prince Charles in April 1985.Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Azagury arrived at his shop to find a member of her staff waiting with a parcel. “Inside was a framed picture of Diana wearing three of the famous five dresses, with a message saying; ‘To Jacques, lots of love Diana’ — that I will be keeping all for myself,” he said.

Related Posts

Loose Women star Denise Welch’s three word warning after being scammed for thousands

Denise Welch has opened up about how she was scammed of thousands of pounds after making a huge error – and is warning others not to do…

Kym Marsh suffers another tragic family loss as she shares heartbreaking tribute

Actress Kym Marsh has revealed her family has suffered another devastating death as she paid an emotional tribute on her social media following the loss of her…

David Beckham makes big gesture on social media towards son Brooklyn amid rift

David Beckham showed his support for his eldest son Brooklyn Beckham on social media this week following rumours of a rift between some of the family in…

Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan claims she is ‘not making any money’ despite show

Harriet Cowan became a hit with Clarkson’s Farm viewers when she stepped in to help Jeremy Clarkson while Kaleb Cooper went away as she revealed the harsh…

Danniella Westbrook confesses her biggest regret as she looks back on her troubled past

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook says she doesn’t have any career regrets, but drugs will “always” be her biggest regret, as she’s opened up about her past…

Alex Jones fights tears as her rarely-seen husband appears on The One Show

Alex Jones was brought to tears during tonight’s episode of The One Show as her rarely-seen husband Charlie made a surprise appearance as she celebrated 15 years…