A sparkling collection of gowns, accessories, and keepsakes belonging to Princess Diana have brought in £4million after being sold at auction.
The LA-based ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection’ auction included 200 items and was the most extensive throng of the former Princess of Wales‘ things since she held her own charity auction in 1997 – two months before her death.
Diana’s wardrobe – from her enchanting wedding gown in 1981 to ‘casual street style’ in later years – was a reflection her growth and global fame.
Pieces from her favourite designers, Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Catherine Walker, all featured at the Thursday sale.
Among those notable sales was a magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which raked in 910,000 dollars (£720,000) – four-and-a-half times its original lower estimate.
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A Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 was sold for 780,000 dollars (£617,000)
The black and rouge gown was worn twice by Diana, once in London and again Germany, both in 1987.
The British designer, Edelstein, also designed her famous navy blue dress which she wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985.
Meanwhile, a Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 – to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and to a dinner with King Constantine of Greece – and to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987 also exceeded expectations.
The blue dress marked an important moment in the princess’ reign over the hearts of the public and the ‘Di-mania’ sweeping the country at the time.
The special gown sold for 780,000 dollars (£617,000), almost four times more than its lower estimate.
A pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 as well as leaving Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill in 1992, sold for 444,500 dollars (£352,000).
In line with Diana’s own sale of her clothes three decades prior, a portion of the sale from the midnight blue frock will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity, alongside other specified lots.
Alongside many of her wardrobe staples, the auction also featured more than 20 handwritten letters, notes, and holiday cards, all personally written by the hand of the princess.
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Diana wore the strapless blue gown to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and a dinner with King Constantine of Greece – and then to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987
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Walker also created the yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit beloved by the Princess and worn on a 1989 visit to Hong Kong (right)
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Alongside many of her wardrobe staples, the auction also featured more than 20 handwritten letters, notes, and holiday cards, all personally written by the hand of the princess
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A 1983 signed holiday card from Princess Diana, featuring a picture with King Charles and a young Prince William
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A pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 was sold for £352,000
Several affectionate letters were written to Maud Pendrey, a former housekeeper at the Spencer family home at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana grew up.
One included a three-page letter to Maud, written in 2984 when Diana was pregnant with Harry.
The sweet handwritten letter was sold for nearly 15 times its estimate at 44,450 dollars (£35,000).
Another letter to Maud and her late husband, who worked as a butler, sold for 28,575 dollars (£23,000).
The two page letter, written by Diana in 1985 also included sweet photos of her young sons, William and Harry along with Diana signature that read: ‘This comes with much love from the four of us’ – sold for 28,575 dollars (£23,000).
Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions said: ‘The phenomenal results of today’s historic auction held just a few days before Princess Diana’s birthday demonstrates why Diana is and always will remain one of the world’s most beloved and inspiring cultural figures.’
‘These exquisite garments, shoes and accessories made not only fashion statements but also displayed her warmth and humanity that made Diana the most popular and greatest Royal style icon of all time.’
The sale comes after a Jacques Azagury-designed dress worn by Diana in Italy in 1985 set a new world record for the most expensive dress worn by the royal at auction, selling for more than one million dollars in December.
