This sea-green number by Catherine Walker was called “My Mermaid Dress” by its wearer. She was one of the world’s most glamorous women. She wore the dress several times in her brief life. The deep neckline and the  side slit made it famous on her, encasing her beautiful frame softly and seductively.

When she wore it first, in 1986 during a visit to Austria, she had just started her passionate relationship with the dashing Captain James Hewitt, and the dress was felt to reflect her mood.  

We are talking about Princess Diana, of course. The dress was one of her favourites. 

It was up for auction at www.the-saleroom.com on June 14, 2016, where it was described as: “Good condition. No obvious losses of sequins. Very faint discolouration along satin lining to neckline edge (minor). Very, very faint deodorant marks on underarm lining. Satin lining has been let out from underarms to waist (the Princess put on weight between 1986 and 1993, the last occasion she wore it). 1cm spot stain to lining above rear skirt slit. Very, very faint fading along crease lines to satin lining at sides of slit opening.” It was expected to fetch anything between £80,000 and £100,000.

Nothing has been reported since, expect an announcement on the website that the bidding has closed.