When do Princess Diana’s outfits go on auction? Where to bid on Lady Di’s dresses, bags, shoes, etc.

Fascination for Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales is as strong today as it have ever been. Her death in a car accident while being chased by paparazzi in Paris on 31 August 1997 shocked the world. The crash also claimed the lives of her partner Dodi Fayed and chauffeur Henri Paul. Diana was one of the most popular members of the British Royal Family, loved for her charity work and admired for her keen fashion sense, inspiring women the world over.

Diana, Princess of Wales, fashion icon

And it’s Diana’s interest in fashion that is the focus of a new exhibition and an auction, in which 50 lots including one-off, iconic items such as the a black tulle gown which Diana wore to the ‘Phantom of the Opera’ premiere in 1986, a Rayne violet leather semi-circle clutch and Kurt Geiger emerald green satin evening pumps - all of which will be going under the hammer in Los Angeles next month. The auction, which includes items from other royals including Queen Victoria and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, features the largest collection of Princess Diana’s most famous and glamorous gowns, suits, dresses, shoes, and handbags assembled since her historic June 1997 auction at Christie’s which included the famous Christina Stambolian-designed revenge dress. The 79 lots raised $3.25 million for multiple charities.

Unsurprisingly, 27 years on, it is expected that this summer’s auction will raise a lot more. For instance, a Victor Edelstein lace evening dress which Diana was photographed wearing in London on January 25th and in Hamburg on November 6, 1987 is expected to fetch $200,000-$400,000. Another lot, a pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Catherine Walker has an estimate of $100,000-$200,000. A Catherine Walker two-piece yellow and navy skirt suit which Diana wore during a trip to Hong Kong in November 1989 and on other occasions is tipped to fetch $30,000-$50,000.

Princess Diana auction proceeds going to charity

The are also lots for those on slightly more modest budgets - such as a yellow and black felted wool turban designed by Philip Somerville which has an estimate of $10,000-$20,000 or a Rayne white and red leather envelope clutch - yours for $2,000-$4,000 with a portion of the proceeds destined to Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & a Royal Collection’ auction will take place on Thursday June 27 2024, starting at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT at Julien’s Auctions, S. Western Avenue, Gardena, California. There are three ways to bid for a lot: online, which requires registration to a Julian’s member account (you will need a username and a password - bear in mind that each auction requires a separate registration), by phone through an auction house representative or in person by attending the event in Los Angeles. First-time bidders are required to submit a copy of an official, government-issued identification document, e.g., a driver’s license, passport, or state identification card... etc. and must also have their credit card information verified to be able to bid.

Members of the public who would like to see some of the items from Diana’s wardrobe will get the chance in an exhibition at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland which will have three garments on display, including a crimson silk Bruce Oldfield gown and a Catherine Walker black and white strapless gown which will be displayed alongside items from the museum’s permanent collection. Newbridge Silverware CEO William Doyle said: “Princess Diana was much loved all around the world, her fashion and style make her one of the most enduring style icons of all time and we are delighted to work with Julien’s Auctions to bring these three very important Princess Diana garments to Ireland.” The exhibition opens on Tuesday 4 June and runs until 17 June.