Diana gowns sell for more than $1m at US auction

Gowns worn by Britain's Princess Diana have collectively sold for more than $1 million at an auction in the US.

A red Bruce Oldfield silk gown worn by Diana to the premiere of Hot Shots on at the Odeon, Leicester Square, in November 1991, sold for $571,500 at an event from Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), in Beverly Hills, California.

The silk dress had been expected to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000.

The Legends: Hollywood And Royalty auction, featuring more than 1,400 items, celebrated 100 years of Warner Bros, and ended on Friday evening.

A black and jade gown by Catherine Walker – Diana’s personal designer for more than 16 years – which was worn by the late royal to a gala event in Toronto, Canada, in October 1991 was another top seller, also going for $571,500.

A custom-made black velvet and ivory gown, also designed by Walker, worn by Diana to a private function sold for $508,000, on an original estimate of $60,000 to $80,000.

The three designer dresses had not been seen in public for more than 30 years according to the auction house.

Martin Nolan, executive director and founder of Julien’s Auctions, said: “Buoyed by the tremendous success of this three-day sale – which brought in a record number of registrants and bidders from across the globe – we are already busy at work in the launch of our next Hollywood auction that will be a year-end spectacular as we celebrate Julien’s 20th anniversary.”

Other high-ticket items include a Givenchy couture pink evening dress, worn by Audrey Hepburn when she played Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, which sold for double its original estimate at $444,500.

Collectibles from classic Hollywood actors Humphrey Bogart and his wife Lauren Bacall were also offered for the first time at auction.

The couple’s matching 14 karat gold wedding rings, exchanged by Bogart and Bacall during their wedding on May 21 1945, sold for $190,500 and a heart-shaped locket inscribed, “Baby, here’s my heart, Bogie” went for $57,150.

The Hollywood couple’s son Stephen Bogart said: “My sister Leslie and I would like to thank Julien’s Auctions, Turner Classic Movies and Brooks Branch for their tremendous job bringing these important and dear artefacts to auction.

“Everyone was so lovely to work with and TCM helped to put a wonderful spotlight on my parents’ legacy. Kudos to all.”

Science fiction film items such as Carrie Fisher’s production-made slave costume as Princess Leia from Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi was won by Fisher’s brother, Todd Fisher for $38,100.

The item had been estimated at $20,000 to $30,000.

“We are very happy to add this piece to the estates’ collection of Debbie (Reynolds) and Carrie artefacts,” said businessman Fisher.

“We have been working with Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions for many decades. He has helped us acquire some very important pieces, including my mother’s (Debbie) birthday cake outfit from Singin’ In The Rain.”

Fisher died at the age of 60 in December 2016 and appeared in 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi posthumously, and through previously unreleased footage for 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.

American actress Reynolds, who was married to singer Eddie Fisher, appeared in classic Hollywood films such as What’s The Matter With Helen?, Charlotte’s Web and Halloweentown, before her death aged 84 in December 2016, just days after her daughter died.

The lightsabre used by Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith also sold for $91,000.

Star Trek items such as a maroon Starfleet officer’s jacket worn by William Shatner as James T Kirk in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan went for $127,000.

All sale prices included the buyer’s premium.