Princess Diana's Iconic Ballgown From 1985 Is To Go Under The Hammer

Just as Princess Diana will always be remembered for her philanthropic work, her innate sense of style will live long in our memories. Is it any wonder, then, that admirers of the late Princess of Wales covet looks from her iconic wardrobe? Case in point: her 1980s Victor Edelstein blue velvet evening gown is going up for auction – with a pre-sale estimate of £350,000.

Due to be held at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London on 9 December, the off-the-shoulder gown is considered to be one of her most iconic outfits. Worn to a state dinner at the White House in 1985, Princess Diana was photographed dancing to the hit music from Saturday Night Fever with actor John Travolta.

“Princess Diana was the fashion icon of her time. Every designer dreamed of dressing her,” Kerry Taylor previously told Vogue of our unwavering fascination with her. “Everywhere she went, be it visiting a hospital [or] walking across a field of land mines, she inspired women of all age and nationalities.” Edelstein and Diana had a fruitful relationship with the designer making her multiple gowns over an 11-year period.

Princess Diana wore the dress another three times: for a state visit to Austria in 1986; a night at the Royal Opera House in 1991; and for her portrait by Lord Snowden in 1997. Later that year, just two months before her death, Diana auctioned off the dress for £100,000 to raise funds for Aids charities around the world.