Before Princess Diana died suddenly in a tragic car accident in Paris in 1997 at the age of 37, she was already being celebrated for her style. And to this day, more than 20 years after her death, the queen of hearts is still one of the ultimate fashionistas – and rightly so.
Because Diana didn’t submit to fashion, she made it. The former kindergarten teacher had her own head when it came to choosing her looks and has defied strict royal fashion protocol on more than one occasion, much to the Queen’s displeasure. Whether a low neckline, bare shoulders or legs – Diana was not stingy with her charms and made for some breathtaking as well as scandalous appearances.
So her so-called “Revenge Dress” (in German: revenge dress) will surely never be forgotten. The black dress she wore shortly after Prince Charles publicly admitted his affair with then-Camilla Parker-Bowles. And her quirk of repurposing pieces of jewelery from the royal treasure chest still serves as a model for many trend addicts not to always take fashion too seriously. Diana loved wearing tight necklaces as a headband or letting the Queen’s pearl necklace fall down her back instead of down the front of her neckline.
The ex-wife of the future heir to the throne Prince Charles mastered the elegant appearance as well as the casual off-duty look. One of her favorite designers was the English Catherine Walker, who for around 16 years was responsible for much of the official wardrobe of the nobility. Particularly nice: Diana’s daughter-in-law, Duchess Kate, who she never met in person, loves the British label and is thus continuing the legacy of her mother-in-law, even though the popular Duchess and wife of Prince William does not quite have the fashionable courage that Diana once had.
In our gallery we show you 10 looks that prove that Diana is still a style leader to this day.