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On June 26, Beverly Hills will host the largest auction ever dedicated to Princess Diana’s wardrobe — a collection of more than 100 pieces that tell the story of a rebellious royal who turned fashion into a language of its own.

On June 26 at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, a piece of history will go to auction. Titled “Princess Diana’s Style: A Royal Collection,” Julien’s Auctions will hold the largest sale ever dedicated to Princess Diana’s personal belongings. More than a display of designer fashion, the auction offers a rare look into the many layers of a life that – though tragically cut short – left a lasting impact on the world.

Princess Diana never wore anything by accident. Every dress, suit and accessory carried intention, a way of speaking without words. “What message will I send by wearing this?” she would often ask her designers. In a royal world bound by tradition, she redrew the contours of femininity at court, turning clothing into a tool as powerful as speech.

1988 Bellville Sassoon Floral Day Dress (With Book)  © juliensauctions.com

The auction features over 100 pieces that tell the story of that quiet revolution. Among the highlights is a floral satin dress by Bellville Sassoon, nicknamed the “caring dress,” worn during hospital visits. Estimated at $200,000 to $300,000, it reflects a princess who used fashion to forge human connection. Nearby, a cream evening gown embroidered with pearls by Catherine Walker, created for her 1986 diplomatic tour of the Gulf, shows how clothing could speak volumes in a geopolitical setting.

The auction also includes a black-striped Versace suit, a yellow ensemble by Bruce Oldfield worn at the 1987 Royal Ascot and a lilac suit selected for her speech against landmines in Washington. Estimated between $100,000 and $200,000, these pieces evoke the memory of a woman who knew how to blend style with meaning.

Emanuels 1981 Black Taffeta Evening Gown © juliensauctions.com

The accessories reveal a more intimate side of the princess. A Lady Dior bag gifted by Bernadette Chirac in 1995, a peach-colored hat worn upon returning from her honeymoon, plus a sketch of her wedding dress accompanied by original tulle fragments weave a personal, discreet and touching story. Some of these bags, nicknamed “cleavage bags” by her stylists, were used to cover her chest as she stepped out of cars: a signature gesture combining modesty, humor and elegance in the face of intrusive flashes.

Behind the scenes, Diana worked closely with designers like Catherine Walker, Bruce Oldfield and Versace to craft pieces that subtly challenged convention. Exposed shoulders, unexpected slits, shimmering fabrics — each outfit became a statement of independence and empowerment.

Martin Nolan, co-founder of Julien’s Auctions, stresses, “This is the largest collection ever offered. Buyers aren’t just purchasing a dress; they’re acquiring a piece of history.” The market reflects this mindset. Indeed, in 2023, a black dress by Jacques Azagury sold for over a million dollars. Through fashion, the story of a woman, a struggle and an era is told.

September 1989 Cream Rayne Leather Pumps (With Book)  © juliensauctions.com

The auction will be held both in person and online at www.juliensauctions.com, giving bidders worldwide access to the private world of an icon. This isn’t the first time Diana’s wardrobe has been revealed this way. In June 1997, just two months before her death, she organized a charity sale of 79 dresses at Christie’s in New York, following the advice of her son William. The proceeds, which were over $5.7 million, were donated to humanitarian causes close to her heart.

True to Diana’s philanthropic spirit, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity she supported during her lifetime. Her charitable commitment continues beyond her passing, making this auction an act of posthumous generosity.

What stands out is that behind the embroidery, draping and stitching lies the portrait of a woman shaped by both vulnerability and strength. Diana didn’t just seek admiration, she wanted to be heard, understood and loved for what she carried within as much as for what she wore.

1987 Bruce Oldfield Yellow Floral Ensemble  © juliensauctions.com

Her dresses are a reminder that clothing can say: “I’m here,” “I resist” or “I reach out.” Diana never stopped doing so. In that quiet language of detail may lie the true reason she remains the people’s princess, nearly three decades after her death.

History isn’t written only in books, it’s also woven into fabric, shaped in a silhouette, pressed into a fold. And in the sweep of a hem, the heartbeat of a legend still lingers — the woman who will forever be the Queen of Hearts.