Ammon News - A sparkling collection of gowns, accessories, and keepsakes belonging to Princess Diana is set to go under the hammer this week.

The LA-based 'Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection' auction is the most extensive collection of Diana's personal belongings to be sold since 1997, according to Julien's Auctions.

The former Princess of Wales's iconic wardrobe - from her enchanting wedding gown in 1981 to 'casual street style' in later years - chronicled her growth and global fame.

A pair of gowns that sold at the 1997 auction, two months before her death, top the upcoming sale on June 27 at The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.

It is set to feature a stunning Murray Arbeid midnight blue tulle strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 - to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and to a dinner with King Constantine of Greece - and to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987, which has a top estimate of $400,000 (£315,000).

The timeless gown is adorned with twinkling diamanté stars and fuelled the 'Di-mania' sweeping the country, cementing her status as a cultural icon.

Meanwhile a magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which Diana wore in London and Germany in 1987, shares the same ceiling estimate and is another fairytale ballgown.

'People will know that name because Victor Edelstein also designed the very famous navy blue dress Diana wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985,' said Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien's Auctions.

Diana first met Edelstein when she was pregnant with William, and the pair worked together closely as she was often present to help customize the designs to her taste.

Mr Nolan described Diana as a 'princess of economics,' wearing gowns numerous times not only for environmental reasons but also to 'use her celebrity status to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming or new or unknown designers,' including Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Catherine Walker - all of whom feature in the auction.

Wearing gowns on multiple occasions was then considered a taboo in celebrity culture, but was also intended to compensate for the time making the dress.

Daily Mail