Diana first appeared in the black and blue ballerina-length evening gown by Jacques Azagury in Florence in 1985. According to the auction house, she was also photographed in it a year later during a visit to Vancouver.
The dress and a matching illustration sold for $1,148,080, according to Julien’s Auctions, after being listed with an estimate of $100,000 – $200,000.
“Julien’s now holds the new world record for most expensive dress worn by Princess Diana sold at auction,” it said in a statement, adding that the previous auction record was $604,800.
The gown has a long black velvet bodice embroidered with blue stars and a two-tier blue organza skirt with a sash and bow.
It was sold as part of Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) four-day “Hollywood Legends” sale, which included a variety of memorabilia.
Lord Snowdon sold a pink chiffon blouse Diana wore for her 1981 engagement portrait to then-Prince Charles for $381,000.
The blouse, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who later designed Diana’s wedding gown, was estimated to be worth $80,000 to $100,000.