Triumph and Tribute: The Princess Diana Museum Stands Grateful for a Remarkable Year

Few years shine as brightly in our journey as 2025 has. At The Princess Diana Museum, this was a season of emotion, recognition and meaningful connection. We were reminded how deeply Diana's legacy resonates. From the addition of historic garments to shared moments with admirers around the world, each experience reaffirmed why we do what we do.

More than a recap, this is a reflection in gratitude.

Princess Diana's Growing Cultural Reach

In many ways, 2025 also reminded us just how far Princess Diana’s influence continues to travel. Through the lens of the museum, we witnessed her story spark conversations across borders and generations. A wave of global and national press coverage amplified the heart behind our mission, reaching new audiences in meaningful ways.

InStyle magazine reported on the record-breaking sale of the “Caring Dress,” highlighting its historical significance and the growing public interest in Diana’s legacy, while Town & Country profiled the museum’s vision and evolution, focusing on how founder Renae Plant has turned a lifelong devotion into a growing archive of Diana’s legacy. Richmond, VA's own Style Weekly captured the atmosphere of our “Behind the Hairbrush” event, where Diana’s former hairdresser (and our dear friend, Richard Dalton) shared personal memories with a moved audience. Each story helped shape a fuller picture of what Diana stood for and why she continues to inspire.

Each spotlight wasn’t about visibility for its own sake. It was about helping more people find their way to Diana again, through fashion and shared admiration. As press stories circled from LA to Virginia to Europe and beyond, we felt the ripple effect of one woman’s lasting impact, carried forward by so many who still care.

A Royal Presence Abroad: Diana’s Gowns in the Netherlands

Diana’s fashion crossed the Atlantic in October, marking our first European exhibition collaboration featuring these dresses. We were honored to loan the “Famous Five,” all designed by Jacques Azagury, to the Dresscodes exhibition at Paleis Het Loo in the Netherlands, where they will remain on view through 8 March 2026. These exquisite gowns (including the glamorous black and red dresses from the final years of her life) went on display as part of a showcase on royal style.

Seeing Diana’s dresses admired by European audiences was a proud and bittersweet moment for us. Not only did it underline Diana’s global cultural impact, but it also fulfilled one of our dreams: sharing Diana’s sartorial legacy with the world, beyond virtual walls. Dutch press and visitors were abuzz, and we took joy in knowing that a piece of The Princess Diana Museum was helping inspire people an ocean away. As one onlooker in Apeldoorn remarked, it was as if “Diana’s spirit had arrived in the Netherlands,” through the elegance and grace encapsulated in those gowns.

Gratitude and Closing Thoughts

In this “year-in-review” moment, we feel it’s important to pause and express our deepest gratitude. None of these achievements, from the headline-making dress acquisitions to the meaningful events and global exhibitions, would have been possible without you, our incredible community of supporters and Diana admirers. Every time you visited our 3D virtual galleries, shared our story, attended an event, or simply offered an encouraging word, you became part of this journey.

Together, we’ve expanded Princess Diana’s story around the world, ensuring that her message of love, kindness, and humanity continues to inspire new generations. The Museum has always been a labor of love, born from Renae's devotion and now sustained by the collective passion of many. Standing at the end of 2025, we feel not only proud of how far we’ve come, but also profoundly humbled by the trust you’ve placed in us to be stewards of Diana’s legacy.

With full hearts, we thank you for being part of this transformational year. Your presence and support uplift Diana’s memory and help carry it into new spaces and new hearts. As we welcome 2026, we look ahead with hope and purpose. Diana’s light continues to shine, and we are honored to share its warmth in the year ahead.

—The Princess Diana Museum Team