The 1997 Princess Diana Dress Nobody Talks About - But Should

When people look back on Princess Diana's extensive wardrobe, they often think about how Princess Diana used her street style to send a message to the royal family. Or, how Princess Diana's revenge dress became one of the most iconic looks in fashion history, but in conversation, they tend to overlook one stunning, sleek dress. In 1997, the royal stepped out in a champagne-colored dress designed by Catherine Walker, who designed over 1,000 pieces for her. The dress's hem hit just above her knees, perhaps making it one of Princess Diana's leggiest looks after splitting from the royal family. However, in true Princess Diana fashion, she donned the look with complete grace and elegance. "We worked very closely with Diana to ensure what she ... wore was appropriate and she — not the clothes — was the star," Walker's widower, Cyrus, told People in 2017.

Tim Graham/Getty

She topped off the look with a pair of gold, closed-toe slingback kitten heels and a new pixie cut styled by Sam McKnight. Rather than relying on dramatic silhouettes or bold embellishments, the look showcased Princess Diana's refined approach to dressing, one that continues to influence decades later.

Even though Princess Diana's 1997 Catherine Walker dress tends to fly under the radar in favor of more famous looks, this dress signifies something greater for her legacy. She wore this dress to a private party at Christie's in New York City, where she was auctioning off 79 of her dresses. As suggested by her son, Prince William, the proceeds went toward cancer and AIDS research. The auction ultimately raised $3.25 million — a testament to her humanitarian work, which earned her the title of "The People's Princess."

This gown was also worn during Princess Diana's final style era, as she died just a few months later in August 1997. By then, her wardrobe had evolved into a reflection of the woman she had become after splitting with the royal family — confident and independent. She embraced sleek silhouettes and understated glamour, proving that elegance didn't require excess bells and whistles. The dress was on display at Kensington Palace in 2018, where it continued to symbolize the grace and authenticity that made Princess Diana a lasting fashion and pop culture icon whose influence extends far beyond her most famous looks.