Royal Ascot was the ideal fashion showcase for Princess Diana. The late royal, who died in 1997, was able to turn the pavement on the way to the racing event into her own personal runway, fashioning bold colors, patterns and more when she attended the annual royal event.
Decades following her tragic death, Princess Diana’s impact on fashion and style remains unassailable. Last May, Julien’s debuted another auction of the royal’s clothing, including such iconic finds as her custom-made pieces by Gianni Versace, her floral “caring dress” and more.
Here, WWD looks back at some of Princess Diana’s best Royal Ascot looks through the years.
1985
Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in 1985.
Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
By 1985, Princess Diana was a phenomenon in the British royal family. The stylish royal attended Royal Ascot this year wearing a look by Jan Van Velden and a hat by Frederick Fox. The sophisticated ensemble featured a featured a pussy bow and high neckline. This look may have been the same Jan Van Velden ensemble Princess Diana wore to Trooping the Colour the same year.
1987
Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in 1987.
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In 1987, Princess Diana elevated her royal wardrobe by playing with stripes at the Royal Ascot event. She wore this striped suit by Roland Klein with a complementary hat by Philip Somerville. She also wore gloves to accentuate the ensemble and accessorized with pearl jewelry.
1988
Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in 1988.
Jayne Fincher/Getty Images
For her 1988 appearance at Royal Ascot, Princess Diana went with one of her go-to designers. The late Princess of Wales wore this suit with a white dress and gray coat with sharp shoulders courtesy of Catherine Walker. She completed the look with a hat designed by Philip Somerville.
1990
Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in 1990.
Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
In 1990, Princess Diana chose another Catherine Walker ensemble, this time in bold, contrasting colors. The royal wore a pink suit with sapphire blue pops of color on the buttons, lapels and trim of the pockets. She coordinated with a statement hat.
1992
Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in 1992.
Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
For one of her last appearances at Royal Ascot before her separation and ultimate divorce from then-Prince Charles, Princess Diana fashioned this pink look with a coordinated pink hat with black trim. She wore pearls to accessorize the ensemble.
Royal Ascot is an annual event that takes place in June. Ascot itself is a famous racecourse, and Royal Ascot falls over a series of days in June and features horse races, colorful attire and more. Members of the British royal family attend the social event of the summer season regularly, with the monarch making an appearance nearly each year.