Princess Diana’s black dress to be sold
Princess Diana's 'revenge dress' goes up for auction
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Warm-up
- What is the most famous outfit you can think of, and why?
- Have you ever visited a museum or show about fashion?
- Would you buy something at an auction? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
- auction
- a public sale where people bid money to buy an item
- admit
- to say that something is true, often something bad or secret
- unfaithful
- not loyal to a partner in a romantic relationship
- iconic
- very famous and widely recognised as a symbol
- stylist
- a person who helps someone choose clothes and looks
- designer
- a person who creates the style and shape of clothes
- proceeds
- the money that comes from selling something
- catalogue
- a printed list with details of items for sale
Reading
Sotheby’s will auction a black evening dress worn by Princess Diana, with an estimate of up to £220,000 ($300,000). The sale is due on 9 December in New York, after a tour to London, Hong Kong and Geneva. The dress became iconic in 1994 when Diana arrived at the Serpentine Gallery the night Prince Charles admitted he had been unfaithful.
It is the first time the piece has been at auction since 1997, when Diana sold 79 dresses to raise money for charities. That year it was bought for £39,098 by Briege Mackenzie and her husband, who said they chose it because the proceeds helped Children First.
Sotheby’s said Diana showed how fashion could speak for her. The dress was by designer Christina Stambolian, and Diana’s stylist later said she wanted to "look a million dollars". Sotheby’s added that a signed 1997 auction catalogue will be sold with it, and part of the proceeds will go to Royal Edinburgh Hospital via NHS Lothian Charity.
Comprehension
- What is the top price Sotheby’s expects for the dress?
- When and where is the dress due to be sold?
- Why did the dress become iconic in 1994?
- Who bought the dress in 1997, and why did they choose it?
- What extra item will be sold with the dress, and who will get part of the proceeds?
Grammar focus
Reported speech
Use a reporting verb (said, told, added) + the reported words (no quotation marks). When we report we often change tenses (present → past) and change pronouns (I → she).
- Sotheby’s **said Diana showed** how fashion could speak for her.
- Briege Mackenzie and her husband, **who said they chose** it, bought the dress.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- Sotheby's said the sale (be) ___ due on 9 December.
- Briege Mackenzie said they (choose) ___ it in 1997.
- Reports said Diana (arrive) ___ at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994.
- Diana’s stylist said she (want) ___ to look a million dollars.
- Sotheby's added the signed catalogue (be) ___ sold with the dress.
Discussion
- Do clothes sometimes send a message? Share an example.
- Should famous clothing be kept in museums or sold? Why?
- What makes an item of clothing iconic to you?
- Is it good to donate part of auction proceeds? Why or why not?
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