Meghan Markle Could Get Chance to Own Princess Diana’s Iconic Revenge Dress
Meghan Markle has received intriguing news involving her late mother in law Princess Diana, as one of the royal icon’s most famous outfits prepares to return to the spotlight nearly three decades after it last changed hands.
The Duchess of Sussex is currently in Britain alongside Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, while attention has now turned towards Diana’s legendary black “revenge dress.”
Diana wore the striking Christina Stambolian creation to an event at London’s Serpentine Gallery in June 1994, producing what would become one of the most memorable fashion moments in modern royal history.
The little black dress became far more than another glamorous royal outfit. Its daring design, combined with the circumstances surrounding Diana’s appearance that evening, transformed it into an enduring symbol of confidence and independence.
Now, nearly three decades after the garment was last sold, admirers of the late Princess will have an extraordinary opportunity to acquire it when Sotheby’s New York offers the dress at auction this December.
The upcoming sale has inevitably sparked speculation about potential buyers, including whether Meghan could be interested in acquiring a piece associated with the mother-in-law she never had the opportunity to meet.
There is no evidence that Meghan intends to bid for the dress, however, and suggestions that it could eventually enter the Duchess’s wardrobe remain speculation rather than information from Meghan or her representatives.
The connection has nevertheless attracted attention because Meghan has frequently been compared with Diana when it comes to fashion, including occasions when observers have noticed similarities in their preference for combining elegant pieces with casual basics.
According to the Daily Mail, Diana’s decision to wear the dress became particularly significant because of its timing. Her appearance came shortly after Charles made a highly publicised admission during an ITV interview.
The dramatic outfit was consequently interpreted as Diana making a powerful public statement through fashion. She completed the famous appearance with high heels, red lipstick and a pearl choker.
Diana reportedly owned the dress for approximately three years before finally wearing it. Her stylist Anna Harvey later revealed that the Princess had previously considered the design too daring to wear publicly.
Harvey recalled that Diana made the decision at the last moment, explaining that the Princess “wanted to look like a million dollars.” The resulting photographs ensured the dress became permanently associated with Diana’s public image.
Diana wore the famous creation only once before including it in a 1997 charity auction featuring 79 of her dresses, which raised money benefiting cancer and AIDS charities. The garment has remained with its current owner since then.
This December’s Sotheby’s auction will give the dress another charitable connection, with part of the proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity on behalf of the Royal Hospital of Edinburgh. Whether Meghan joins the bidding remains completely unknown, but Diana’s legendary “revenge dress” is once again guaranteed to command enormous attention.
