Chronological coverage updated 11th September 2026 07:54.
Update 1 · 11th September 2026
Princess Diana's Iconic 'Revenge Dress' Heading to Sotheby's Auction
The black silk evening gown worn by Princess Diana in 1994, famously known as her 'revenge dress', is being put up for auction by Sotheby's. The off-the-shoulder dress with an asymmetric hemline and chiffon train was designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian and worn to the Serpentine Gallery hours after Prince Charles publicly admitted to adultery in a televised interview. Sources: BBC World.
Sotheby's estimates Princess Diana's 'revenge dress' will fetch up to £220,000 ($300,000) at auction on December 9. — according to Sotheby's, as reported by BBC World.
A world tour before December sale
Prior to its auction in New York on 9 December, the dress will embark on a global tour. It will be exhibited at Sotheby's London showroom from 18 to 24 September before traveling to Hong Kong in October and Geneva in November. The dress was originally purchased for £39,098 in 1997 by Briege Mackenzie and her late husband Graeme during a charity auction hosted by Diana shortly before her death. Sources: BBC World.
According to BBC World, Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion said: “On her own terms, Princess Diana turned the dress into one of the most powerful messages she ever made, during one of the most scrutinised and emotionally charged episodes of her life”.
According to BBC World, Briege Mackenzie, buyer of the dress at the 1997 auction said: “Princess Diana was walking into the worst night of her life and you would never know it to look at her. It went from a cocktail dress to a statement in the time it took to photograph her.”.
The sale will include a rare copy of the 1997 auction catalogue signed by Diana and Stambolian. Part of the auction proceeds will be donated to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital via NHS Lothian Charity. Sources: BBC World.
- Princess Diana's 1994 Christina Stambolian dress will be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York.
- The dress will be exhibited in London, Hong Kong, and Geneva prior to the December sale.
- Part of the proceeds will go toward the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Sources: BBC World
