Three decades after her death, Princess Diana remains one of the most idolized women in the world.
Over the years, enthusiastic royal collectors have fought to be able to own one of the princess’s items when they come up for auction. Some of the items include:
The Revenge Dress – £39,000
Better known as the Revenge Dress, Princess Diana donned the iconic black mini number for a gala at the Serpentine Gallery on the same night in 1994 that Prince Charles confessed on national television that he had been unfaithful to her.
Designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, the off-the-shoulder bodycon dress featured an asymmetrical hem and a chiffon train that fluttered in the wind.
In the summer of 1997, shortly before her death, Diana auctioned 79 of her dresses at Christie’s in New York.
Profits were shared among multiple organizations, including cancer and AIDS charities.
The Revenge dress, which had originally cost the princess £900, sold at auction in July 1997 for a staggering £39,098 – more than £85,000 at today’s prices.
The revenge dress features an asymmetrical hem, with a flattering sheer train that hangs from the cinched waist.
Letter in which Princess Diana talks about her marital problems: £8,750
A letter written by Princess Diana discussing her marital problems sold for £8,750 last year on February 14 at Chiswick Auctions.
The letter, written on a single sheet of Kensington Palace letterhead, was dated May 11, 1995, and was addressed to Mrs Cotton.
The letter, which comes in an envelope, reads simply: “If only life were so simple.” It is my greatest wish. Unfortunately the reality is that I am one of three people in a triangle.”
A letter written by Princess Diana in which she talks about her marital problems is about to go on sale. The letter simply says: ‘If only life were so simple. It is my greatest wish. Unfortunately the reality is that I am one of three people in a triangle.
Red Austin Mini Metro: £6000 (in 1990s)
Diana was known for her love of automobiles throughout her years, and in her time owned several luxury vehicles and cars that are now considered classics.
But what may have been the Princess’s first motor, which she drove as 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer until she sold it in June 1981, was the red Austin Mini Metro, affectionately known as her “courtship car”.
The car was purchased by the then Prince Charles for £3,495 in 1980. The King took the Metro on a 20-mile test drive from the British Leyland factory in Longbridge, England.
It has had three owners since leaving the royal fleet and has clocked a modest 30,000 miles.
It was sold at auction in the 1990s for £6,000, but is now owned by Coventry Transport Museum, where it is on display.
What was perhaps the Princess’s first car, which she drove as the simple Lady Diana Spencer before marrying Charles, was an Austin Mini Metro. Diana sold the car in June 1981. Above: Diana in the car outside her London flat in February 1981.
Virgin Atlantic Sweatshirt – £42,760
Diana’s ‘Fly Virgin Atlantic’ jumper was a gift from the airline’s boss, Sir Richard Branson, and she was often seen wearing it with a pair of shorts and trainers as she left the gym at the Chelsea Harbor Club in London.
It was often accompanied by a pair of cycling shorts, usually bright orange, along with sports socks and white sneakers.
Diana then gave the well-worn sweater to her beloved trainer Jenni Rivett, who worked with the princess for seven years.
Rivett sold the sweatshirt in 2019. With the help of RR Auctions in Boston, Massachusetts, the jumper sold at auction for £42,760 to a mystery buyer in California for ten times the estimate.
Photographers would have a hard time selling photographs of Diana because she looked the same day after day as she left her gym in London.