Princess Diana’s Iconic Wedding Dress to be Displayed at Kensington Palace

Prince William and Prince Harry have granted permission for their late mother Princess Diana's wedding dress to be exhibited for the first time in 25 years.

The renowned bridal gown will take center stage at Kensington Palace, marking its first appearance since the princess's passing.

The dress, which holds a significant place in bridal history, will be showcased as part of a groundbreaking exhibition that explores royal fashion design throughout the ages.

The exhibition, titled “Royal Style in the Making,” will be held at the newly renovated Orangery in Princess Diana's former London residence from Thursday, June 3rd, until January 2022.

The last time the dress was displayed in London was in 1995, while the princess was still living at Kensington Palace.

Diana's exquisite silk taffeta wedding dress, featuring billowing sleeves, bows, lace flounces, and a breathtaking 25-foot sequin-encrusted train, will undoubtedly be the star attraction of the exhibition.

Created by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel for Diana's wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, the dress was valued at £151,000 last year.

It boasted a fitted bodice adorned with antique Carrick Macross lace panels that originally belonged to Queen Mary, the groom's great grandmother.

The dress's neckline, along with its large puffed sleeves, was beautifully trimmed with bows and taffeta ruffles, while the full skirt was supported by numerous petticoats, creating the iconic silhouette.

The bride's ivory silk tulle was embellished with 10,000 mother-of-pearl sequins.

Following Diana's untimely demise in 1997, her brother, Earl Spencer, took custody of the dress until it could be passed on to her sons when they turned 30, as stipulated in her will.

For two months each year, the dress was displayed at Althorp, Earl Spencer's Northamptonshire estate, where Diana spent her childhood.

It was also loaned for various international exhibitions.

In 2014, upon Prince Harry's 30th birthday, the dress became part of the brothers' private collection.

In addition to the wedding dress, the brothers inherited 28 other dresses, designer suits, and evening gowns, as well as two diamond tiaras.

They also received significant items such as the original text of Earl Spencer's tribute to Diana at her funeral in Westminster Abbey and the score and lyrics of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin's version of “Candle in the Wind,” performed by Sir Elton at the funeral.

The upcoming exhibition, “Royal Style in the Making,” will delve into the relationship between fashion designers and their royal clients.

It will showcase several never-before-seen items, including the rare surviving toile for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's coronation dress from 1937.

Matthew Storey, the exhibition curator at Historic Royal Palaces, expressed his excitement, stating that it would be a treat for fashion enthusiasts.

The display of Princess Diana's wedding dress will kick off a series of celebrations at Kensington Palace in honor of the beloved princess.

In July, both Prince William and Prince Harry will unveil a highly anticipated statue of their mother on the palace grounds.

For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.royalstyle.co.uk.