Three decades after her death, Princess Diana remains one of the most idolized women in the world.
Over the years, avid royal collectors have vied to own one of the princess’s items when they go up for auction. Some of the items include:
The Revenge dress – £39,000
Best known as the Revenge Dress, Princess Diana wore the iconic black mini-piece for a gala at the Serpentine Gallery on the same night in 1994 when Prince Charles confessed on national television that he had been unfaithful to her.
The fitted off-the-shoulder dress, designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, featured an asymmetrical hemline and a chiffon train that flowed in the wind.
In the summer of 1997, not long before her death, Diana put 79 of her dresses up for auction at Christie’s in New York.
Proceeds were shared among multiple organizations, including cancer and AIDS-related charities.
The Revenge dress, which had originally cost the princess £900, sold at auction in July 1997 for a whopping £39,098 – more than £85,000 at today’s prices.
The revenge dress features an asymmetrical hem and a flattering sheer tail that dangles from the fitted waist
Letter in which Princess Diana discussed her marital problems – £8,750
A letter written by Princess Diana discussing her marital problems sold for £8,750 at Chiswick Auctions on February 14 last year.
The letter on a single sheet of Kensington Palace stationery was dated May 11, 1995 and addressed to Mrs Cotton.
The letter, which came in an envelope, simply read: ‘If only life were that simple. It is my dearest wish. Unfortunately, the reality is that I am one of three people in a triangle.”
A letter written by Princess Diana discussing her marital problems will go on sale. The letter simply reads: ‘If only life were that simple. It is my dearest wish. Unfortunately, the reality is that I am one of three people in a triangle’
Red Austin Mini Metro – £6000 (in the 1990s)
Diana was known over the years for her love of cars, and during her time she owned a number of luxury vehicles and cars that are now considered classics.
But what may have been the Princess’s first motorcycle, which she rode 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.”
The car was purchased by the then Prince Charles in 1980 for £3,495. The King took the Tube for a 20-mile test ride from the British Leyland factory in Longbridge, England.
It has had three owners since leaving the Royal Fleet, and has a very modest 30,000 miles on the odometer.
It was sold at auction in the 1990s for £6,000 but is now owned by the Coventry Transport Museum, where it is on display.
What may have been the Princess’s first motorcycle, which she rode as the regular 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
The Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt – £42,760
Diana’s ‘Fly Virgin Atlantic’ jersey was a gift from the airline’s head, Sir Richard Branson – and she was often seen wearing it with cycling shorts and trainers as she left the gym at Chelsea Harbor Club in London.
This was often accompanied by cycling shorts – usually in bright orange – along with white sports socks and sports shoes.
The much-used sweater was then given by Diana 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 sweater was sold at auction for £42,760 to a mystery buyer from California at ten times the estimate.
Photographers would then struggle to sell photos of Diana as she looked the same day in and day out as she left her gym in London