Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’ to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in December 2026

London, September 11 – Sotheby’s has announced that Princess Diana’s iconic “revenge dress” will be auctioned in New York on December 9, 2026. The black, off‑the‑shoulder silk gown, designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, is expected to fetch between USD 150,000 and USD 300,000 (approximately £110,000 to £220,000).

The dress, which Diana wore to a Vanity Fair gala dinner at London’s Serpentine Gallery on June 29, 1994, became a symbol of her confidence and independence. The appearance followed the televised admission by her then‑husband, now King Charles III, of infidelity, and the choice of a striking black cocktail dress was notable against the backdrop of royal fashion, where black was traditionally reserved for funerals.

Prior to the New York sale, the gown will be displayed at Sotheby’s London from September 18 to 24. It will then travel to Hong Kong and Geneva as part of an international exhibition tour, according to CNN.

The dress was last sold in June 1997, when Diana auctioned 79 of her dresses to raise funds for breast cancer and AIDS charities. The upcoming sale marks its return to the auction block nearly thirty years later.

A portion of the proceeds from the 2026 auction will be donated to NHS Lothian Charity on behalf of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

“The dress has endured beyond the circumstances surrounding its most famous appearance, becoming a lasting symbol of Princess Diana’s confidence, resilience and use of fashion as a powerful form of self‑expression,” said Sotheby’s officials.

For more information, visit Sotheby’s website or contact the auction house directly.

Article and image source: hongkongherald.com