Three Rare, Iconic Princess Diana Day Dresses Are Sold for Nearly $300k at Auction
Three daywear outfits from Princess Diana just went up for sale at London’s Kerry Taylor Auctions, selling for almost $300,000, nearly three times they were originally expected to sell for. Pretty much anything worn by the much-beloved Princess would have brought interest from fans and bidders alike, but these three were apparently particularly special.

Three daywear outfits from Princess Diana just went up for sale at London’s Kerry Taylor Auctions, selling for almost $300,000, nearly three times they were originally expected to sell for. Pretty much anything worn by the much-beloved Princess would have brought interest from fans and bidders alike, but these three were apparently particularly special.
“Diana’s daywear is much rarer than her evening wear, which she auctioned a huge tranche off in the late 1990s,” Kerry Taylor of the eponymous auction house explained to the Daily Mail. “Daywear dresses she wore for more formal functions she either gave to friends or charity shops, so they have mostly disappeared. These were very well documented outfits and one of a kind as they were made specifically for her.”
A single collector was selling all three pieces. The auction also saw two outfits from Sarah Ferguson and a very vintage set of silk dresses that Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth wore in 1935 (which went for $36,395).
Here are the three Diana outfits:
This was her Catherine Walker outfit during the President of the Republic of Turkey's state visit in 1988 (as well as many other events—it was quite a favorite, apparently). Here it looks coral/orange, but apparently it's a light peach color. It went for about $116,765:
- As reported in Us Weekly, three of Princess Diana's iconic day dresses sold at a London auction for nearly $300,000.
- The three all come from Diana's public outings in the 1980s, when she was still married to Prince Charles and when Princes Harry and William were still young.
- These are the very simple beauty rules that Diana swore by.
This was an outfit designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel from a visit to Bahrain with Prince Charles in 1986. The stripes actually have little polka dots, which I think is a lovely touch. It went for about $133,073, the greatest amount of the three:
And this, a Jasper Conran red suit, was the oldest. Diana wore it as she christened the cruise liner Royal Princess in 1984 (the red really pops against her neutral surroundings). It went for roughly $78,474:
All beautiful and iconic, IMO. Us Weekly has more full-length photos, including of what they look like now.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Hollywood's Next A-List
You may not recognize all of them...yet. But these 22 individuals have delivered some of the most triumphant on-screen performances in recent memory.
By Neha Prakash
-
The Ambition Issue
A celebration of striving for success in whatever's most important to you.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
I Quit My Job as a CEO to Become an Intern
In an excerpt from her memoir, Alisha Fernandez Miranda takes a one-year break from her role as CEO at a consulting firm to try out the jobs she's always dreamed of doing.
By Alisha Fernandez Miranda
-
Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo
That's some type of commitment.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 80 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 56 Best Musical Movies of All Time: Iconic Movie Musicals
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell
-
Sophia Brown on Joining the World of ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’
The actress opens up about the “surreal process” of playing the Lark in the Netflix fantasy prequel.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy
-
The Unstoppable Alia Bhatt
Bollywood’s silver-screen darling is both at the top of her game and just getting started.
By Neha Prakash
-
29 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
All the nudity of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film.
By Kayleigh Roberts