Camilla Jessen
More than 140 personal items spark bidding frenzy in Beverly Hills.
More than 25 years after her death, Princess Diana remains a global icon, both for her humanitarian legacy and unforgettable fashion.
This week, her style again took center stage as over 140 personal items were auctioned in Beverly Hills.
The June 26 event, titled Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection, was hosted by Julien’s Auctions and held at the Peninsula Hotel in California.
The collection included some of Diana’s most famous dresses, personal letters, and even a birthday card signed by her and her sons, Princes William and Harry.
The “Caring Dress”
The star of the auction was the bright floral Bellville Sassoon dress, affectionately known as the “Caring Dress.”
It sold for a staggering $520,000 — more than $200,000 over its starting estimate.
Diana often wore the dress during hospital visits, where she met patients, especially children.
The dress’s approachable colors and soft design made her feel “huggable,” said Julien’s co-founder Martin Nolan in an interview with People magazine.
Designer David Sassoon had called it the “Caring Dress” for that very reason.
Another standout was a Catherine Walker evening gown Diana wore during her 1986 royal tour of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It sold for $450,000, also far surpassing its original estimate.
Letters, Cards, and a Glimpse Into Royal Life
The auction wasn’t limited to fashion. It also featured handwritten letters and personal items, including a birthday card signed by Diana and her two sons.
One signed letter to a former Buckingham Palace footman sold for $6,500, offering bidders an intimate connection to the late princess’s life.
Julien’s described the event as more than just a fashion sale. In a statement, the auction house called it “a tribute to fashion, royalty, and the enduring influence of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century.”
The Mystery of Diana’s Missing Coats
While the auction included everything from ballgowns to shoes, one item was noticeably missing: coats. According to Nolan, there’s a heartfelt reason for their absence.
“Where are Diana’s coats?” he recalled asking in an earlier interview with Hello! magazine. The answer, he explained, lies in Diana’s quiet acts of charity. During cold months, she would fill her car with coats and deliver them to people in need — never seeking attention or publicity.
“She didn’t want any limelight,” Nolan said. “She was just genuine… and wanted to help others.”
You can view the items and their prices here.
