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Princess Diana’s Custom Dresses, Personal Items Fetch Thousands at Auction

A magenta nylon ski suit that the late royal was often photographed in sold for $250,000

By Alexandria Sillo
Person wearing floral dress and sunglasses with short hair stands on a balcony, smiling.
Princess Diana's 1988 Bellville Sassoon Floral Day Dress, pictured above, sold for $400,000. Photo: Getty Images. Courtesy of Julien's Auctions

Over 300 pieces from Princess Diana’s trendsetting wardrobe—from her early royal days to her so-called “revenge couture” era—and personal collection hit the auction block on Thursday, with highlights including pieces by Catherine Walker, Dior, Rayne, and more. Many items were being auctioned for the first time as part of the “Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection” sale, which benefited Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“Princess Diana’s legacy lives on not only through her humanitarian work but also in the timeless elegance of her style, which continues to inspire the world,” said Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions, which hosted the sale. “This unprecedented collection offers collectors and admirers a rare opportunity to own a piece of royal history and pay tribute to one of the most beloved figures of our time.”

Red vintage ski jumpsuit with a quilted design and button details on a plain background.
Princess Diana’s HEAD Scarlet Nylon Ski Suit sold for $250,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
White sweatshirt with red balloon graphic and "British Lung Foundation" text on front, displayed against a plain background.
A 1997 British Lung Foundation Sweatshirt (With People Magazine) sold for $170,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions

The collection featured everything from a 1997 sweatshirt that sold for $170,000 to glamorous, custom evening gowns, baseball caps, and elegant handbags. A 1988 Bellville Sassoon Floral Day Dress that the late royal was photographed in and an accompanying book sold for $400,000. The John Boyd Peach Pink Straw Archer Style Hat that the Princess of Wales wore and was photographed in during her honeymoon sendoff in 1981 sold for $20,000, while the 1985 Prince of Wales White Three-Plume Fan went for $45,000, far surpassing the original $6,000-$8,000 estimate.

Yellow dress with blue and red floral pattern, short sleeves, and front knot detail.
A 1987 Bruce Oldfield Yellow Floral Ensemble sold for $200,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Ivory gown with long sleeves and bird embellishments on the shoulder, featuring a flowing train.
A 1986 Catherine Walker Falcon Evening Gown sold for $350,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Navy blue pinstripe double-breasted coat with gold buttons and black velvet collar and cuffs, shown on a plain background.
A 1995 New York Catherine Walker Coat Dress. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions

Other popular items were several variations of custom Rayne pumps that the Princess was often photographed in. Rayne supplied shoes and handbags to the royal family for decades, including for the weddings of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, and Princess Anne, with many pairs stamped with personalized inscriptions. While initial estimates for the pumps were between $2,000–$4,000, several pairs sold for upwards of $12,000. One two-tone pair that Diana was photographed wearing during Christmas at Sandringham in 1990 went for $17,500. A 1993 pair of photo worn Chanel two-tone heels sold for $35,000.

Letters from King Charles III, friends, candid photographs, and personal gifts—including a 1995 Lady Dior Handbag gifted to the late royal by the First Lady of France—also sold. The handbag was initially named the ChouChou, but was renamed The Lady Dior after Diana. Other items, such as gowns from the Duchess of Windsor, a briefcase that once belonged to Princess Margaret, and a piece of wedding cake from the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also on offer.

Antique white ostrich feather fan with silver handle on a plain white background.
The 1985 Prince of Wales White Three-Plume Fan sold for $45,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Black high heel shoe with a red toe cap on a plain background.
1990 Christmas At Sandringham Rayne Two Tone Shoes (With Book) sold for $17,500. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Blue baseball cap with the number 492 printed in white on the front.
The “492” Numeric Baseball Hat that Princess Diana was photographed wearing in 1995. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Pink hat with feathers next to a magazine page showing a woman wearing a similar hat and pink outfit.
The John Boyd Peach Pink Straw Archer Style Hat sold for $20,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions
Black quilted handbag with gold accents next to an open book featuring photos and text.
A 1995 Lady Dior Lambskin Handbag with Book (With Book) sold for $250,000. Photo: Courtesy of Julien’s Auctions