A Whirlwind Year for The Princess Diana Museum

From dazzling headlines to historic milestones, 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for the Princess Diana Museum. In just a few short months, we’ve welcomed a treasured new addition to our collection, captured international media attention, and connected with supporters across the globe through unforgettable live events. Each moment has underscored our mission: to ensure Princess Diana’s story of compassion, elegance, and humanity continues to inspire generations.

Securing the Iconic “Caring Dress”

On June 26, 2025, at a landmark auction held at The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, the Princess Diana Museum achieved a deeply emotional milestone: acquiring the blue floral Bellville Sassoon "Caring Dress". The dress, worn by Diana between 1988 and 1992 during her compassionate engagements with children, hosted a fierce bidding battle that culminated in a moment of pure joy for museum founder Renae Plant, who literally fell to the floor in elation after winning the bid.

What makes this acquisition especially meaningful is that Renae met Diana in this very dress during a 1988 Australia tour when she was just 18 years old. Standing outside St. Andrews Cathedral in Sydney, she encountered the Princess wearing that floral dress —an interaction that ignited her lifelong dedication to honoring Diana’s legacy. For Renae, securing this gown was deeply personal, as much an act of preservation as one of destiny.

She now carries forward not only a significant artifact of royal fashion, but also a tangible connection to Diana herself.

Media Spotlight Fuels Momentum

Our story continues to attract international attention:

• InStyle reported on the sale of the Caring Dress, highlighting its sentimental power and the buzz around the museum’s growing collection.

• Los Angeles Weekly Times invited readers to step into royal history, during an intimate afternoon featuring Princess Diana’s personal hairdresser, Richard Dalton, and museum founder Renae Plant.

• Style Weekly spotlighted Behind the Hairbrush: A Royal Afternoon, where the magic of Diana’s story and style came to life.

• Town & Country shared an in-depth feature about Renae Plant’s mission to preserve and share Diana’s legacy with the world.

This widespread media coverage underscores the museum’s growing role as a living tribute to The People’s Princess.

Each of these features reflect how Diana’s legacy continues to resonate across cultures and generations, and how the museum is becoming a trusted voice in keeping her memory alive through both artifacts and storytelling.

Book Signing in Richmond, VA — August 30, 2025

As the year unfolds, we’re thrilled to bring our story directly to you by way of book signing events.

Our second book signing took place on August 30, 2025, at the Dominion Energy Center @ Mooney Hall in Richmond, Virginia for an exclusive "It's All About The Hair: My Decade With Diana, H.R.H. Princess Of Wales" book signing event.

This special afternoon featured Richard Dalton, Princess Diana’s trusted personal hairdresser for over a decade, alongside our founder Renae Plant, who has dedicated her life to preserving Diana’s legacy. Together, they shared never-before-heard stories, personal memories, and insights from their years with the Princess.

Following the talk, guests stayed for the signing of their copy of "It’s All About the Hair", enjoyed light refreshments, and mingled with fellow admirers who continue to celebrate Diana’s timeless influence.

It was a heartfelt gathering of history, legacy, and community, for those who continue to love and honor Princess Diana. Full event details here.

Looking Ahead

From the Caring Dress to global press and engaging events, 2025 so far has been a remarkable year for The Princess Diana Museum. Our museum collection continues to thrive with over 2,700 artifacts, uniquely accessible in our online museum complete with a guided a walk-through (optional) and 3D immersive displays that give full details of each piece, and of course many photos and personal memorabilia to view and explore. You will feel more connected to Princess Diana throughout her lifetime than you ever thought possible. Each piece is carefully curated to honor Diana’s grace, elegance, and humanitarian spirit through thoughtful preservation and storytelling.

And this is only the beginning, you won’t believe what we have in store for 2026....

As recently released in a Marie Claire Interview — "I haven't shared with anybody yet, but we are bringing the Princess Diana Museum out next year for the first time — all the pieces that we've acquired — and it's going to be at the Ronald Reagan Library," Plant shares.

The library, located in Simi Valley, California, will be the first host of the tour, which is being put on in conjunction with EDG, global experts in cultural exhibitions. Diana's outfits will be on display at the presidential library in September 2026 and Plant shares that the traveling exhibit will then move "all around America" including cities such as New York. The museum founder adds that her "dream" would be for there to be a "permanent display" in the U.K. one day."

Until then, we invite you to take a deep dive into all things Diana and experience the museum today from wherever you are in the world. Start exploring now at theprincessandtheplatypus.org.