Advertisement

Princess Diana’s dresses go on display at Kensington Palace, 20 years after her death

Twenty-five of Princess Diana's dresses will be on display at Kensington Palace for the rest of the year.

Twenty-five of Princess Diana's dresses will be on display at Kensington Palace for the rest of the year. Photo: AP

Gowns worn by Princess Diana for everything from meeting diplomats to dancing with movie stars feature in a London exhibition celebrating the fashion of one of Britain’s favourite royals.

The collection of 25 dresses will be displayed from Friday for the rest of the year in Kensington Palace, where she lived for over 15 years. The exhibition coincides with the 20th anniversary of her death.

It features an ink-blue velvet gown worn by Diana when she danced with actor John Travolta at the White House in 1985, as well as her “Elvis” dress — high-collared and encrusted with pearls.

The collection also shows Diana’s “understanding of how to deploy fashion as a diplomatic tool”, organisers said, including one dress that incorporates the national bird of Saudia Arabia, the falcon.

“Our exhibition explores the story of a young woman who had to quickly learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, who in the process put the spotlight on the British fashion industry and designers,” said Eleri Lynn,curator of Diana: Her Fashion Story.

Diana, mother to Princes William and Harry, was married to heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles from 1981 until 1996 when the couple divorced.

She died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.