The iconic image of Princess Diana in her "revenge dress" remains one of the most famous moments in fashion and modern royal history, but now collectors' attention has also turned to the vehicle that appears in the background of that historic night.
It is a Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign, which transported Princess Diana to the Serpentine art gallery in London in June 1994. The dark green luxury car will soon be up for auction, attracting great interest from collectors of royal objects.
The vehicle was delivered to Kensington Palace in 1994 and was used exclusively for the princess's personal transport until 1997, before passing into private ownership a few months before her tragic death.
The Jaguar still retains some distinctive elements of its royal use, including openings in the roof for the flag and a built-in Motorola telephone with an emergency “safety” button, typical of that period.
According to reports in Town & Country magazine, the car is expected to go up for auction on June 1, with an initial estimate ranging from £50,000 to £150,000. The vehicle was part of one of the most photographed moments of the 90s, when Diana appeared at the Serpentine Gallery wearing the famous velvet dress by designer Christina Stambolian.
Her appearance coincided with a tense public moment, following the broadcast of Prince Charles's interview in which he admitted to infidelity. Diana's appearance that night was widely interpreted as a powerful statement of self-confidence and independence, turning the "revenge dress" into a cultural symbol that remains unforgettable today.
