Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Princess Diana’s Revenge Dress Heads to Sotheby’s Auction
Princess Diana wore a famous black dress on the night her husband, Charles, admitted he had been unfaithful.
People later nicknamed it the “revenge dress.”
The dress was designed by Christina Stambolian and showed Diana looking confident and independent.
Pictures of her wearing it were published around the world.
Sotheby’s is now showing the dress before putting it up for auction.
The auction house thinks it could sell for between $150,000 and $300,000.
Diana previously sold it to help raise money for AIDS charities.
It will be shown in several cities before the sale in New York.
The dress remains popular because many people see it as a symbol of Diana taking control of her own story.
The black Christina Stambolian dress worn by Princess Diana in 1994 is on international display before its auction.
Diana wore the off-the-shoulder dress on June 29, 1994, when then-Prince Charles publicly acknowledged infidelity.
Sotheby’s estimates the dress will sell for $150,000 to $300,000, though experts expect it could fetch more.
Diana sold the dress in 1997 to raise money for AIDS charities.
The dress is displayed in London until September 24, then travels to Hong Kong and Geneva before its December 9 sale in New York.
- Who
- Princess Diana, designer Christina Stambolian, and Sotheby’s are central to the story; the dress was worn after then-Prince Charles acknowledged infidelity.
- What
- Diana’s well-known black “revenge dress” is touring publicly before being auctioned.
- When
- Diana wore it on June 29, 1994; the auction is scheduled for December 9, following a London display until September 24.
- Where
- The dress is on display in London and will travel to Hong Kong and Geneva before being sold in New York.
- Why
- Diana wore the dress as a powerful personal expression after Charles publicly acknowledged infidelity; it is being auctioned after previously being sold for AIDS charities.
- Designer
- Christina Stambolian
- Original wearing date
- June 29, 1994
- Presale estimate
- $150,000 to $300,000
- Auction house
- Sotheby’s
- Auction date and location
- December 9 in New York
- Display tour
- London, Hong Kong, and Geneva
- Previous sale
- Diana sold the dress in 1997 to raise money for AIDS charities