For decades we have looked back at Princess Diana‘s iconic fashion and found its influence in contemporary styles. From her famous revenge dress to her cool, casual biker shorts and sweatshirts, the People’s Princess had a personal closet that most of us would still find trendy today.
But nowhere was Diana’s glamorous fashion more evident than in her evening wear. From royal performances to movie premieres, the former Princess of Wales was often on the red carpet in stunning gowns that influenced red carpet fashion for generations.
During her marriage to the future King of England, then-Prince Charles, Diana was a lover of designers like Catherine Walker and was often seen in looks that put a modern spin on classic royal style. While we definitely still look back fondly on these fashion moments, we’ll always keep an extra special place in our hearts for Diana’s post-divorce fashion. During this time, she embraced a more daring, sultry style and tried out a range of international designers, branching out from the Britain-first approach other royals take.
From stunning appearances at Cannes Film Festival to her one and only Met Gala look, we have all of Princess Diana’s best red carpet looks!
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Cannes (1987)
Princess Diana’s stunning strapless gown at Cannes Film Festival in 1987 will always feel timeless.
The Princess of Wales attended the pretigious event with her then-husband, Charles, and wore the Catherine Walker pale blue while at a Gala night in honour of actor Sir Alec Guinness.
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Cannes (1987)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Diana wore another Catherine Walker design to a daytime red carpet at the festival. She styled a double-breasted blazer over a striped puffball, knee-length dress.
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Met Gala (1996)
Image Credit: NY Daily News via Getty Images At her one and only Met Gala, Princess Diana was absolutely glowing in an inky silk John Galliano for Dior slip dress with black lace details. The theme of the night was “Christian Dior.”
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Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Dinner Dance (1996)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images After ending her relationship with then-Prince Charles, Diana’s fashion became more daring than was typical during her time in the royal family.
This one-shoulder blue gown should her fashion-forward approach as she contunued to forge her own path outside of the royal fold.
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Royal Variety Performance (1981)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images One of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ early appearances as a married couple was Royal Variety Performance in November 1981, four months after their wedding.
Diana’s chiffon gown wowed crowds but the most famous photo of the night is probably when the princess was pictured falling asleep during the show!
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‘Swan Lake’ Performance (1989)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images While still serving her royal duties, Princess Diana attended a performance of Swan Lake in this color-blocked, pink and white Catherine Walker gown.
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Claridge’s Baquet (1989)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Catherine Walker was one of Diana’s most beloved designers before she left the royal family and nothing characterizes her traditional princess fashion more than this colorful gown.
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‘When Harry Met Sally’ Premiere (1989)
Image Credit: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images Diana looked absolutely showstopping in this sparkling red gown from Bruce Oldfield when she attended the UK premiere of hit rom-com When Harry Met Sally.
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‘The Hunt For Red October’ Premiere (1990)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Diana’s stunning satin green gown, created by her favorite designer Catherine Walker, was so memorable that Kate Middleton even channelled the same look 30 years later!
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‘The Living Daylights’ Premiere (1987)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images While attending the 1987 of James Bond movie, The Living Daylights, Diana enchanted crowds in this while ballgown with gold accents.
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Christie’s Dress Auction (1997)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images A newly-single Diana showed off her legs in this figure-hugging, knee-length dress at a charity auction back in 1997.
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‘In Love & War’ Premiere (1997)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images In another Catherine Walker look, Diana embraced a flattering, bias cut while strutting on the red carpet of yet another premiere.
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The National Gallery of Art Party (1985)
Image Credit: Guy DeLort/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images Diana opted for a one-shoulder, sequin white gown while she and Charles were hosted at a party at The National Gallery of Art in Washington.
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‘The Taming of the Strew’ Performance (1991)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Late in her marriage to Charles, Diana used fashion to rise above some of the issues in her personal life by putting on a strong display like in this black low cut evening dress while at the London Coliseum Theatre to see The Taming of the Strew.
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‘When The Whales Came’ Premiere (1989)
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Get One of Diana’s most show-stopping Catherine Walker gown has to be this strapless, floor-length dress in blue floral print.