A Regalia Featuring the Largest Collection of Princess Diana’s Most Famous and Photographed Gowns, Suits, Shoes, Handbags and Accessories Since Historic 1997 Auction 

Plus, Historic Fashions from The Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, Queen Victoria, The Duke of Windsor and More

Private Exhibition at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York Opens Today

New York, NY – (May 20th, 2024) – Julien’s Auctions opened today “PRINCESS DIANA'S ELEGANCE & A ROYAL COLLECTION” the industry-leading Hollywood auction house’s highly anticipated auction event celebrating the timeless style and cultural impact of HRH, Princess of Wales and the Royal monarchy taking place Thursday, June 27th live and online in Los Angeles at Julien’s Auctions. The auction featuring the largest collection of Princess Diana’s most famous and glamorous gowns, suits, dresses, shoes, and handbags assembled since her historic 1997 charity auction at Christie’s worn in her most photographed and famous fashion statement making moments from her international philanthropic missions to royal tours and appearances opened today for pre-bidding in conjunction with an exclusive private exhibition opening at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel.

The collection of over 50 items featuring many of her favorite British designers whom she championed, Catherine Walker, Victor Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Murray Arbeid, and the exquisite designs they created for her that cemented her status as an eternal style icon during her remarkable reign as the beloved People’s Princess will be feted along with historic garments from Royal Fashion trend setters who came before her, The Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, The Duke of Windsor and Queen Victoria.

A Caroline Charles dark purple cotton velvet evening gown with a demure neckline and small v-cut at the bust (estimate: $100,000- $200,000) belonging to Princess Diana has been added to the auction. The wide neckline extends off the shoulder, a neckline Princess Diana often wore and preferred. Diana became a client of Caroline Charles in the early 1980s where she wore numerous plaid and velvet ensembles as well as the designer’s popular coat dresses. This gown joins the previously announced collection of fashions worn by the Princess of Wales in her most famous photographs including her Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless tulle diamante star gown worn to the 1986 Phantom of the Opera premiere (estimate: $200,000-$400,000), Catherine Walker’s two piece suit worn by Diana during her 1989 Hong Kong visit (estimate: $30,000- $50,000) and pink floral “The Chelsea Design Company” dress worn by the Princess in 1988, 1991 and 1992 in London (estimate: $100,000-$200,000), and Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace flamenco style evening dress worn in 1987.

Diana’s most head turning and boldest shoes and accessories from ‘80s designer deities, Salvatore Ferragamo, Charles Jourdan, Rayne, Philip Somerville, and others will also be featured including (each estimate range: $2,000-$4,000): her Ferragamo violet leather pumps seen photographed wearing while visiting Seville, Spain in 1992 and Ferragamo black suede heels seen photographed wearing in 1994 at the Hilton Hotel in London for a charity luncheon for Headway National Head Injuries Association; a Charles Jourdan black patent leather convertible handbag she carried in 1989 to a charity event for The British Lung Foundation and also seen photographed holding in 1990 at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst; a burgundy Charles Jourdan leather convertible handbag Diana was seen photographed with while attending an event for St. Christopher’s Fellowship Project for Homeless Young People at Ealing Hospital in London in 1992 (each estimate: $2,000-$4,000); and more.

Additional highlights include: other style pieces designed by Catherine Walker for her label The Chelsea Design Company such as a cream wool pleated mid-length skirt worn by Princess Diana and seen photographed wearing on December 14, 1983, at Kensington Palace with then Prince Charles and Prince William and arriving at Aberdeen Airport in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 14th March 1986 and a navy blue silk velvet cocktail dress belonging to Princess Diana (each estimate: $10,000- $20,000); a navy blue Victor Edelstein silk blouse worn by Princess Diana and seen photographed wearing in 1988, in Barnet, London, and December 23, 1990, in Sandringham (estimate: $6,000-$8,000); a Philip Sommerville teal and white straw wide brim hat with bow the Princess wore and was seen photographed wearing in March 1989 while at Victoria Station in London with Queen Elizabeth I1 and Prince Charles to welcome a state delegation from Nigeria (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); a custom-made Princess Diana revival gown by Palmer//Harding based on Diana’s 1985 black velvet and lace trim Catherine Walker gown. This gown is a continuation of Diana’s style narrative with a contemporary design by awardwinning British Designers Levi Palmer and Matthew Harding, who founded their label in 2011 (estimate: $3,000-$5,000); a signed Jacques Azagury design illustration for his 1995 black evening gown design made for Princess Diana, who wore the gown in London on November 20, 1995, and in New York, on December 11, 1995, to accept the UCP Humanitarian of the Year Award at the 41st annual United Cerebral Palsy Awards gala. To commemorate Julien’s sale of Princess Diana’s collection and its exhibition at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Azagury drafted a sketch of one his gowns Diana wore when she stayed at the famous luxury hotel in December 1995 (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); an ivory-colored cotton 19th century night gown with lace trim belonging to Queen Victoria, the second longest reigning British monarch who reigned for 63 years from 1837 to 1901 (estimate: $1,000- $2,000); a Spring/Summer 1961 Marc Bohan for Christian Dior Haute Couture lavender evening gown with matching Roger Vivier court shoes and a Spring/Summer 1967 Marc Bohan for Christian Dior Haute Couture dress and cape ensemble belonging to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor (each estimate: $4,000-$6,000); a piece of wedding lace from Queen Alexandra's 1863 wedding bouquet (estimate: $100-$200); a Hawes & Curtis white dress shirt (estimate: $600-$800), monogram brown and black leather spectacle cases (each estimate: $300-$500), a 1952 Master's Tournament cap and pair of suede golfing cleats (estimate: $600-$800), a woven cotton handkerchief monogrammed with the imperial cipher King Edward VIII from 1936 before he abdicated in December of the same year (estimate: $600-$800) and more belonging to The Duke of Windsor, who was king for 326 days, one of the shortest reigning monarchs to date.

Since April, this exquisite collection has toured around the world beginning at Hong Kong’s K11 MUSEA which saw a record number of more than 8,000 fans visiting the showcase and at a private exhibition held at Rolls Royce. A private exhibition at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Princess Diana’s favorite hotel in New York, where she was famously photographed at during her stays and became part of the hotel’s storied history of celebrity clientele in her legendary elevator ride at The Carlyle shared with Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs when she sang “Beat It” to break the silence–opened today May 20th with its final stop in Europe taking place June 4th through June 17th for its exhibition at The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland.