There are web sites dedicated just to the gowns that Diana offered for charity by way of a sale at Christie's auction house in 1997. HRH auctioned seventy-nine of her official-use gowns (superstitious #13 was not attached to a gown). With 1,100 eager potential buyers, the gowns were sold one by one in New York City, raising $3.2million for charity. 83% of the winning bidders were American, 11% European. What has always impressed me even more than the dresses themselves, was the act of giving on the part of Diana and the valuable way she lived by example for her children. Diana always credited William for the idea of the auction, and I believe it is a gesture for which Diana, the mother, was always proud. On this page, I've included only a handful sampling of the gowns along with a couple facts about the gowns themselves.

You can purchase the complete Christie's Auction catalog of dresses on Ebay, however, be ready to pay a hefty price. The hardback version which is a LE of 5,000 copies (204pp) and oversized 12x17 (weighing over 7pounds I'm told!!), sells easily for $500US on Ebay, while the soft-cover edition (211pp) varies in prices ranging from $250-350. I would love to see this book re- published to make it more affordable for the general viewing public and those seriously interested in the details of the gowns.

*Lot 6 Blue Chiffon designed by Catherine Walker. This gown was originally designed and worn by Princess Grace of Monaco.  Years later, Diana had Catherine Walker copy the dress and wore it to the Cannes Film Festival. Actress Joely Richardson had another copy made and wore it to the 2005 Golden Globes.	Worn on several occasions Lot 6, sold for $70,700	Lot 65 Catherine Walker design of ivory romain satin
**Lot 57 Catherine Walker Sold for $28,750	*Lot 78 Catherine Walker design Sold for $151,000	**Lot 45 worn by Diana on numerous occasions Sold for $27,600
**Here are three images of Lot 71	A Catherine Walker designed silk gown	It sold for $25,300
**Lot 44 One of my more favorites Sold for $25,300	Another view of Lot 44, designed by Murray Arbeid	**Lot 75, velvet evening gown Diana wore this to several official engagements as well as for the cover of LIFE magazine Sold for $30,050
*Lot 5 Catherine Walker design Sold for $48,300	*Lot 33 velvet and plaid taffeta gown Sold for $46,000	Lot 33 is a Catherine Walker designed gown
*Lot 79 blue velvet gown Sold for $222,500	She wore the gown in 1984 to a gala at the White House	It was during the Reagan administration
Lot 73 made of a purple velvet Sold for $26,450	Lot 34 emerald satin gown Sold for $27,600	An earlier photo in Lot 34, this gown was designed by Victor Edelstein
Lot 80 made of ivory satin, this embroidered gown sold for $90,500	**Lot 61 silk and velvet gown Sold for $24,150	**Lot 8 Catherine Walker design Sold for $50,600
Lot 52 raw silk beaded fitted gown A Catherine Walker design sold for $51,750	**Lot 19 pink gown with sequin beads by Catherine Walker Sold for $61,900	Lot 30 fuschia Edelstein gown Sold for $36,800

* Indicates gown is available in doll size from the Franklin Mint
** Indicates gown is available in doll size from seamstress, custom ordered

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