A timeline of Princess Diana's most stylish looks
With season six of The Crown arriving on screens this week – a series which sees Elizabeth Debicki renew her role as Princess Diana – there's once again been renewed interest in the wardrobe of the people's princess, with her style captivating a whole new generation.
Over the years, Princess Diana wore some memorable ensembles – many of which are now actually deserving of that often-overused title, 'iconic' – from her wedding dress with its 25-foot train worn to marry Prince Charles; to the famous 'revenge dress' designed by Christina Stambolian and worn shortly after Charles confirmed his affair; her off-duty cycling short looks, which are still emulated today; and to her love for statement collars (whether a pie-crust or a Peter Pan, her aesthetic is still seen on modern catwalks). It's no understatement to say that her sense of style defined a generation.
The late royal was unarguably ahead of her time – from redefining motherhood and championing causes she believed in, to recycling and re-wearing her wardrobe – and it seems a given that today she would have been a pioneer for sustainability in the fashion industry. Here, we revisit her most memorable looks that defined an era and continue to live on today.
1980
In a red velvet blazer, pinstripe skirt, and black cowl-neck jumper, with small gold hoop earrings on the streets of London.
1981
In a Liberty-print shirt, yellow dungarees, and pink espadrilles at a polo match.
March 9, 1981
In a black taffeta dress by the the Emanuels (who also designed her wedding dress), with a diamond tennis bracelet and necklace, attending a fundraising concert at Goldsmiths Hall in London.
June 4, 1981
In a red polka-dot dress and matching hat while attending Nicholas Soames' wedding in Westminster, London, with Queen Elizabeth II.
July 29, 1981
In a wedding dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel leaving St. Paul's Cathedral with Prince Charles on their wedding day in London.
August 19, 1981
In a tweed suit by Bill Pashley and cream flats from a Chelsea cobbler by the River Dee in Balmoral.
November 4, 1981
In a dress by Bellville Sassoon and matching choker while attending the 'Splendours of the Gonzaga' exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
November 5, 1981
In a fringe-detailed coat, blue hat and matching shoes while visiting the Guildhall in London after announcing her first pregnancy.
August 4, 1982
In a pink floral dress and pink hat at the christening of Prince William in the music room at Buckingham Palace.
December 1982
In a velvet dress and matching feathered hat in Birmingham.
In a yellow dress with white pumps and a gold chain bracelet at a school in Alice Springs, Australia.
March 25, 1983
In a pink dress and hat paired with white pumps while visiting a war memorial in Canberra, Australia.
March 1983
In a polka-dot dress by Donald Campbell and a hat by John Boyd during a visit to Perth, Australia.
1983
In a white outfit and matching hat in Tasmania.
June 14, 1983
In a skirt suit by Jasper Conran paired with a light purple hat and belt while in Ottawa.
June 18, 1983
Attending a dinner in a Bruce Oldfield outfit, accessorised with the Diamond Spencer Tiara, a metallic belt, and clutch.
June 23, 1983
In a polka-dot top, red jacket and matching hat during a royal tour of Canada.
June 23, 1983
In a yellow satin dress, the pearl-and-diamond Cambridge Tiara, and a heart-shaped necklace given to her by Prince Charles after the birth of their first son, while attending a banquet in Canada.
June 28, 1983
In a blue-and-yellow dress and matching yellow hat while out in Canada with Prince Charles.
June 29, 1983
In a red-and-white top, skirt, matching hat and ballet flats during the royal tour of Canada.
June 29, 1983
In a traditional Klondike costume with her husband during the royal tour of Cananda.
1983
In a white gown by Gina Fratini during the royal tour of Canada.
February 1984
In a gown by Jan van Velden while attending the London City Ballet in Norway.
June 11, 1984
Pregnant with Prince Harry and wearing a baby blue satin Catherine Walker gown at the premiere of Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom at Leicester Square.
September 1984
In a red coat by Jan van Velden and matching pumps while leaving the hospital with newborn Prince Harry.
March 5, 1985
In a yellow satin gown at the premiere of 2010 in London.
March 26, 1985
In a metallic dress by Bruce Oldfield arriving at a fashion show at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
April 9, 1985
In a blue coat by Bellville Sassoon with matching hat and a patent-leather clutch while visiting Hereford Cathedral.
April 20, 1985
In a dress by Catherine Walker and hat by Kangol arriving at a naval base in La Spezia during a royal tour of Italy.
April 23, 1985
In a blue-and-black dress by Jacques Azagury during the royal tour of Italy.
April 24, 1985
In a white suit with a black bow-tie by Jasper Conran in Florence.
April 30, 1985
In a light pink Catherine Walker look and a cap designed by John Boyd while arriving in Sicily.
May 1985
In a blue dress by Bruce Oldfield in Venice.
May 5, 1985
Wearing a checkered coat by David and Elizabeth Emanuel while visiting Venice with Prince Charles.
May 21, 1985
In a polka-dot dress, red coat, and matching hat and shoes while visiting Newcastle.
October 16, 1985
In a head-to-toe khaki look while attending a charity event in Coventry.
October 1, 1985
In an off-the-shoulder dress while visiting Melbourne, Australia.
November 4, 1985
In a purple Bruce Oldfield suit at a concert in Melbourne.
November 9, 1985
In a black off-the-shoulder Victor Edelstein gown posing for a picture with Nancy Reagan during an official visit to the United States.
November 9, 1985
The dress was later dubbed 'the Travolta dress', after she famously wore it to dance with the actor John Travolta.
November 1985
In a blue dress and hat designed by Bruce Oldfield at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
November 11, 1985
In a white sequin gown by Hachi at a dinner at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
November 25, 1985
In a purple Catherine Walker dress with velvet detailing while attending the premiere of The Santa Claus in London.
1985
In a dark red velvet gown attending the premiere of Back to the Future.
January 1, 1986
In a peach kimono and matching hat during the royal tour of Japan.
April 22, 1986
In a black dress paired with a black-and-white blazer for a royal engagement in the UK.
May 3, 1986
In a white lace dress in Vancouver, Canada.
May 12, 1986
In a satin blue gown by Yuki and a sapphire blue diamond headband before dinner with Emperor Hirohito in Japan.
July 1, 1986
In a strapless white gown by the Emanuels arriving at the German Embassy in London.
August 1, 1986
In a blue dress and white jacket while visiting Tildworth, Hampshire.
September 1, 1986
In a strapless flamenco dress by Murray Arbeid, and gloves and a black choker, while attending the America's Cup Ball at a hotel in London.
November 1, 1986
In a Catherine Walker dress and white shoes, hat and clutch while arriving in Saudi Arabia.
February 4, 1987
In an orange jacket, black bow-tie and black evening skirt on an official visit to Lisbon, Portugal.
February 23, 1987
In a sparkling, emerald-green dress and matching clutch at a performance of High Society in London.
April 10, 1987
In a white military-inspired dress, hat and heels while visiting the Sandhurst Military Academy.
April 19, 1987
Matching with Prince William in a pale blue coat by Catherine Walker while going to Easter church service.
May 15, 1987
In a strapless baby-blue Catherine Walker dress at the Cannes Film Festival.
June 1987
In a yellow floral dress and blue hat and clutch in the Royal Enclosure at the Ascot races.
June 1987
In a striped suit by Roland Klein and hat by Philip Somerville at Royal Ascot.
June 14, 1987
In a sweater by Roland Klein and skirt by Jasper Conran while helping Prince Harry carry a plate of strawberries in Windsor.
November 1, 1987
In a blush ball gown by Catherine Walker to watch The Royal Ballet at the Berlin Opera House in Germany.
November 2, 1987
In a red jacket, black skirt and red hat in Bonn, Germany.
November 2, 1987
In the Spencer Tiara, earrings given to her by the Sultan of Oman, and a black dress by Victor Edelstein at an event in Bonn, Germany.
November 4, 1987
In a black-and-blue dress at the Munich Opera House in Germany.
December 16, 1987
In a blue dress by Murray Arbeid at the Royal Opera House in London.
December 25, 1987
In a yellow dress and hat and black boots and clutch while attending Christmas Day services at St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.
January 27, 1988
In a gown by Catherine Walker and sparkling jewels at a dance in Melbourne during the royal tour of Australia.
February 4, 1988
In a red-and-purple chiffon dress by Catherine Walker at a dinner in Bangkok, Thailand.
February 1988
In a gingham shirt paired with a white skirt by Alistair Blair at an umbrella factory during the official visit to Thailand.
February 5, 1988
In a white skirt and patterned top paired with white aviators during the official visit to Bangkok, Thailand.
March 1988
In a robe by Bellville Sassoon, blue tights and heels at an event during London Fashion Week.
November 9, 1988
In a white suit by Catherine Walker at a dinner at Chateau de Chambord during an official visit to France.
1988
In an off-the-shoulder black dress.
January 12, 1989
In Catherine Walker again while attending Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House in London.
February 1989
In a white gown by Victor Edelstein at a dinner in New York.
March 1989
In a pink-and-red dress by Catherine Walker on a Royal Tour in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
March 1989
In a red-and-gold embroidered gown during her visit to Kuwait.
March 17, 1989
In a suit by Catherine Walker and turban hat by Philip Somerville in Dubai.
March 1989
In a light purple dress by Zandra Rhodes at the British Consulate in Dubai.
March 1989
In a red jacket, skirt and ballet pumps while visiting St. Mary's Hospital in London.
April 1989
In a red Catherine Walker dress and hat by Philip Somerville during a parade in Devon.
May 1989
In a sequin blue gown by Catherine Walker at a charity event in Middlesex.
May 11, 1989
In a light purple dress by Catherine Walker at an event at Claridge's in London.
July 20, 1989
In a red gown with matching clutch and shoes arriving at Claridge's Hotel in London.
July 27, 1989
In a white blouse, pink skirt and matching satin heels at a Swan Lake performance in London.
September 18, 1989
In a gingham blazer and navy skirt, pumps, and hat while attending a memorial service for the the victims of the Marchioness Disaster.
September 19, 1989
In a baby blue Catherine Walker gown while attending the musical Miss Saigon.
November 8, 1989
In a white beaded gown during a visit to Hong Kong.
December 25, 1989
In a purple coat with striped detailing and matching hat at Christmas Day Services at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
March 1990
In a Catherine Walker strapless gown at an event in Douala.
March 21, 1990
In a suit by Catherine Walker and hat by Philip Somerville on a visit to Cameroon.
May 7, 1990
In a white strapless dress with a glittering choker in Budapest, Hungary.
May 8, 1990
In a pink-and-purple suit with matching purple shoes and clutch on an official visit to Hungary.
May 10, 1990
In a white-and-navy dress during an official visit to Hungary.
June 5, 1990
In a Bruce Oldfield lace-and-satin suit arriving to the Wells Theatre in London.
October 1990
In a red dress by Victor Edelstein at a dinner in Washington, D.C.
November 14, 1990
In a checkered coatdress by Catherine Walker on the Official Tour of Japan.
December 3, 1990
In a checkered red and black suit out in London.
December 23, 1990
In a red, white, and black houndstooth suit in Sandringham.
September 19, 1991
In a one-sleeved silk dress by Catherine Walker at the premiere of Stepping Out in London.
October 26, 1991
In a black-and-green crepe dress by Catherine Walker at a dinner in Toronto, Canada.
November 28, 1991
In a metallic striped strapless dress and velvet blazer attending a rock concert in London.
February 1992
In a gown by Catherine Walker and the Spencer Tiara while attending an event in Delhi.
February 11, 1992
In a red jacket, creme-colored top and purple skirt and shoes outside the Taj Mahal.
March 23, 1992
In a red gown by Victor Edelstein at a performance in Budapest, Hungary.
April 1992
In a yellow coat and pleated skirt with Prince William while leaving Windsor Chapel's Easter service.
May 15, 1992
In a blue and white suit designed by Catherine Walker and a matching hat by Philip Somerville while visiting the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo.
November 1992
In a purple-and-patterned gown by Catherine Walker paired with the Spencer Tiara at an event in Seoul.
December 7, 1992
In a Catherine Walker dress at the Dominion Theatre in London.
1993
In a pink off-the-shoulder dress and white heels at the London Coliseum.
April 15, 1993
In a mint green dress at the premiere of Accidental Hero in London.
June 1994
In an off-the-shoulder black dress by Christina Stambolian and a choker arriving at the Serpentine Gallery in London.
October 15,1994
In a gray blazer, white trousers, turtleneck, and loafers while shopping in Knightsbridge.
May 8, 1995
In a red pleated skirt and black high-neck top at a Pavarotti concert in London.
June 1995
In a gray beaded halter dress by Catherine Walker arriving to a gallery in London.
August 19, 1995
In a white two-piece look with a pearl necklace and earrings in London.
September 12, 1995
In a white Versace dress at a concert in Italy to raise money for Bosnian children.
November 24, 1995
In a red dress and heels holding a matching clutch while out for dinner in Argentina.
May 2, 1996
In a blue gown and shoes and holding a matching clutch at an event in New Orleans, Louisiana.
June 5, 1996
In a purple dress by Versace, matching shoes by Jimmy Choo and a white choker arriving to a dinner at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
December 10, 1996
In a lacy black dress and white choker at the 50th Anniversary celebrations for Dior in New York.
February 12, 1997
In a lace blue Catherine Walker dress at the premiere of In Love and War in London.
March 9, 1997
In a light blue blazer, skirt and hat with nude pumps at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, United Kingdom with Prince William.
March 28, 1997
In a gray suit and black velvet shoes at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair.
June 2, 1997
In a light blue dress by Catherine Walker at the Christie's AIDS Crisis Trust and the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Fund event in London.
June 3, 1997
In a light blue sequin mini holding a metallic purse at a Swan Lake performance in London.
June 17, 1997
In a red dress by Jacques Azagury at an event for the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C.
June 23, 1997
In a white cocktail dress by Catherine Walker at an event in the United States.
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