Royal Fashion Revealed: Princess Diana and the Dress Codes Behind Her Iconic Looks

Mar. 15, 2025

Princess Diana in 1985.Photo:Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Princess Diana, renowned as one of fashion’s most iconic figures, is at the heart of a new exhibition that reveals how she adhered to strict royal dress codes.

“Dress Codes” exhibit at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces

Historic Royal Palaces

These garments reflect the royal family’s thrifty mindset and offer a glimpse into their childhood years. Princess Margaret’s style evolution is also highlighted with a 1978 Thea Porter evening ensemble and a 1980 Jose Pitoy Moreno green embroidered gown, showcasing her connection to London’s creative scene and rise as a style icon.

“She was in touch with the creative London scene and these showed the public she was becoming a style icon and was interested in trying new things,” Berni adds.

Curator Matthew Storey selected the theme of dress codes to display a small fraction of the 10,000 items Historic Royal Palaces holds, explore the conventions of royal clothing and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed.

“We can all understand that because we all get dressed every morning. We all think about the clothes we are going to wear and the messages we send with our clothes,” he tells PEOPLE.

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source: people.com