Princess Diana. Photo by Anwar Hussein
Though Princess Diana‘s legacy extends far beyond fashion, she is arguably one of the biggest fashion icons of the 20th Century. When she was only 25 years old, Princess Diana made two trips to the Middle East. The first trip to Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia and the second in March 1986 that included Kuwait and the UAE.
Diana developed a “very glamorous regal style” for overseas trips by donning outfits paying homage to the host nation. During a trip to Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, she wore a dress emblazoned with gold falcons, an emblem of Kingdom.
Below, we look at some of her best ensembles from royal tours in the Middle East over the years.
1986
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As part of her Middle East tour in November 1986, Princess Diana is seen wearing a white evening gown in 1986.
1986
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Princess Diana with HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November 1986.
1986
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Princess Diana is seen at the Palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said in Oman, during her Middle East royal tour in November 1986.
1986
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Princess Diana is pictured here visiting a Bedouin Camp in the desert on her Middle East tour in November 1986.
1986
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Wearing a black and white evening dress designed by the Emmanuels, Princess Diana attends a dinner given by the Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia on November 17, 1986
1986
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The Princess of Wales is seen wearing a Catherine Walker outfit while a trip to the desert during a visit to Saudi Arabia in November 1986.
1989
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This is from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official visit to the Arab States in the Persian Gulf, March 1989 where Princess Diana is seen wearing a Catherine Walker suit and a Philip Somerville turban hat on arrival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
1989
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At the Islamic Museum in Kuwait in March 1989, the Princess is seen wearing a red and pink outfit designed by Catherine Walker.
1989
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The Princess of Wales in Kuwait in March 1989 during her royal tour of the Gulf.
1992
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Princess Diana pictured at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt in May 1992.
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