Museum Founder Resorts to Fourth Home Mortgage to Acquire Diana's Wardrobe Pieces from the Late Royal Figure
In a historic moment for fans and admirers of Princess Diana, the largest auction of her personal collection took place at The Peninsula Beverly Hills on June 26, 2025. The event, organised by Julien's Auctions, featured over 200 items including gowns, suits, accessories, and personal memorabilia, generating a staggering $5 million in total sales.
Among the standout pieces was the iconic 1988 Belville Sassoon "Caring Dress," a blue silk floral day dress famously worn by Diana multiple times. This sentimental piece was purchased by Renae Plant, founder and curator of The Princess Diana Museum, for $520,000.
For Plant, the acquisition held deep personal significance. It was the dress Diana wore when they met for the second time, in 1988, at St. Andrews Cathedral, Sydney, Australia. This emotional connection made the "Caring Dress" an invaluable addition to The Princess Diana Museum's collection.
Other notable auction results included a Catherine Walker Falcon Evening Gown and a Catherine Walker Coat Dress each selling for around $455,000, a HEAD Scarlet Nylon Ski Suit for $325,000, and Diana’s 1997 British Lung Foundation Sweatshirt for $221,000—all far above their estimates, demonstrating strong global demand for her wardrobe and memorabilia.
The Princess Diana Museum, funded by donations, is not wealthy, but its mission to safeguard and share Diana's story with the world is deeply meaningful to Plant. Building the museum's collection has been a calling for Plant, nearly three decades after Diana's legendary charity auction in 1997.
Plant's collection of the late princess's artifacts began as an investment strategy, but it soon became a passion. After making the winning bid for the "Caring Dress," Plant told People that she was shaking with excitement. The "Caring Dress" is now the centerpiece of Julien's world record-breaking auction.
The "Caring Dress" embodies Princess Diana's empathy, humanity, kindness, and enduring legacy of compassion. By acquiring this piece, The Princess Diana Museum continues to preserve Diana's story for generations to come, ensuring her impact and influence remain a beacon of hope and inspiration.
To finance the auction purchases, Plant mortgaged her house for the fourth time. Despite the financial strain, she remains undeterred, stating that Diana was guiding her for the last decade to preserve these items. The "Caring Dress" is a testament to Plant's dedication and the museum's commitment to honouring the life and legacy of Princess Diana.
[1] Julien's Auctions, (2025), Princess Diana's Wardrobe Auction Breaks Records at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. [online] Available at: https://www.juliensauctions.com/press-releases/2025/princess-dianas-wardrobe-auction-breaks-records-at-the-peninsula-beverly-hills [Accessed 27 June 2025].
[3] People, (2025), Renae Plant, Founder of The Princess Diana Museum, Acquires Iconic "Caring Dress" at Julien's Auction. [online] Available at: https://people.com/style/renae-plant-princess-diana-museum-caring-dress-juliens-auction/ [Accessed 27 June 2025].
[4] Harper's Bazaar, (2025), The Most Memorable Moments from Princess Diana's Wardrobe Auction. [online] Available at: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a38587837/princess-diana-wardrobe-auction-juliens-auctions-peninsula-beverly-hills/ [Accessed 27 June 2025].
- The Princess Diana Museum's acquisition of the iconic "Caring Dress" has added an invaluable piece of entertainment history to their collection.
- The event, organized by Julien's Auctions, featured a wide range of fashion-and-beauty items, stirring strong interest in pop-culture and lifestyle spheres.
- Notable sales included high-priced gowns, suits, and memorabilia from designer Catherine Walker, showcasing the royals' style and culture influence.
- The auction also featured items such as Diana’s British Lung Foundation Sweatshirt, demonstrating her dedication to charity and news-worthy humanitarian efforts.
- With the acquisition of the "Caring Dress," The Princess Diana Museum aims to preserve and share Diana's story with future generations, fostering a lasting impact on society.
- To finance these auction purchases, the museum's founder Renae Plant mortgaged her house for the fourth time, highlighting the museum's commitment to honouring Princess Diana's legacy.
