Royal Fashion Revealed: Princess Diana and the Dress Codes Behind Her Iconic Looks 

Princess Diana, renowned as one of fashion’s most iconic figures, is at the heart of a new exhibition that reveals how she adhered to strict royal dress codes.

Opening on March 13 at Kensington Palace, the Dress Codes exhibition, running until Nov. 30, 2025, showcases 34 carefully selected outfits, including three worn by Diana, and two dresses from the late Princess Margaret.

The exhibition begins with a red Bruce Oldfield gown Diana wore during a state visit to Saudi Arabia in 1987, displayed alongside a green tweed hacking jacket, which would have been worn, possibly by guests, at her country home, Althorp House. 

This contrast highlights her evolution from a country girl to a global fashion icon. According to Caterina Berni, senior interpretations manager of Historic Royal Palaces, by 1987, Diana "was an absolute expert in knowing what the code is.

The exhibition also features Diana’s red Jasper Conran suit, which she chose to wear in 1984 for the naming of a cruise ship, and a Catherine Walker green silk velvet tuxedo-style dress that she wore to private family events, but that was never before worn in public. It was first seen by the world in 1997 as one of 79 dresses famously auctioned to raise money for HIV/AIDS and cancer charities.

Additionally, the exhibition includes matching Liberty print floral dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) and her sister Princess Margaret as children in 1936.  

These garments reflect the royal family’s thrifty mindset and offer a glimpse into their childhood years. Princess Margaret’s style evolution is also highlighted with a 1978 Thea Porter evening ensemble and a 1980 Jose Pitoy Moreno green embroidered gown, showcasing her connection to London’s creative scene and rise as a style icon.

“She was in touch with the creative London scene and these showed the public she was becoming a style icon and was interested in trying new things,” Berni adds.

Curator Matthew Storey selected the theme of dress codes to display a small fraction of the 10,000 items Historic Royal Palaces holds, explore the conventions of royal clothing and the powerful impact fashion can make when boundaries are pushed. 

“We can all understand that because we all get dressed every morning. We all think about the clothes we are going to wear and the messages we send with our clothes,” he tells PEOPLE.  

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 

 The exhibition also features uniforms worn by postilion riders and members of the former Royal Yacht Britannia, and explores how fashion rules are codified and evolve over time.

A standout feature of the exhibition is the collaboration with young participants, aged 14-17, who acted as Young Producers. Their involvement culminated in a fashion show at Kensington Palace in February, where they showcased outfits inspired by the themes of the royal attire on display.