Princess Diana Finery Goes Under the Hammer

Princess Diana's 1987 Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening dress is displayed during Julien's Auctions' press preview of "Princess Diana's Elegance & a Royal Collection", ahead of an exclusive private showing at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California, June 25, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)
Princess Diana's 1987 Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening dress is displayed during Julien's Auctions' press preview of "Princess Diana's Elegance & a Royal Collection", ahead of an exclusive private showing at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California, June 25, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)
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Princess Diana Finery Goes Under the Hammer

Princess Diana's 1987 Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening dress is displayed during Julien's Auctions' press preview of "Princess Diana's Elegance & a Royal Collection", ahead of an exclusive private showing at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California, June 25, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)
Princess Diana's 1987 Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening dress is displayed during Julien's Auctions' press preview of "Princess Diana's Elegance & a Royal Collection", ahead of an exclusive private showing at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California, June 25, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)

The biggest auction of Diana memorabilia since the late British princess sold dozens of outfits months before her death gets underway in California this week, featuring a midnight blue tulle dress and a flamenco-style lace-up number.

Nearly fifty pieces, including gowns, shoes, handbags and hats, will go under the hammer in Beverly Hills.

"Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection," brings together some of the style maven's favorite designers, including Victor Edelstein, Murray Arbeid and Catherine Walker.

Highlights include Arbeid's blue diamante ball gown, which the princess wore in 1986 to the London premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," and a magenta lace dress by Edelstein.

Both pieces are expected to fetch up to $400,000, according to Julien's Auctions, which is running the sale.

"We are here celebrating Princess Diana's elegance," AFP quoted Gabriela Schwartz, of the auction house, as saying.

"We have some really standout pieces... that Diana wore with a lot of pride and (which are) really emblematic of her style.

Diana married Britain's now-King Charles in 1981 in an opulent ceremony watched by tens of millions around the globe.

The fairy tale soured over the following years and their tempestuous relationship became fodder for newspapers and gossip magazines, feeding a growing celebrity culture that exploded in the 1990s.

The couple had two children -- Princes William and Harry -- but divorced in 1996 in a tabloid frenzy and amid mutual infidelities.

Diana died in a car crash in Paris the following year as she and her lover tried to outrun paparazzi.

More than a quarter of a century on, the woman dubbed "The People's Princess" remains unmatched as a celebrity and style icon, whose allure continues to fascinate millions.

A dress worn by the princess that was auctioned last year fetched a staggering $1.14 million.

The collection, which has toured the globe for months, is expected to generate huge interest by the time bidding closes on Thursday.

As well as items of high couture, the sale will also include shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, Kurt Geiger and Rayne, as well as letters in Diana's own handwriting, along with a number of other items connected to the British royal family.



Paris's Moulin Rouge Inaugurates New Windmill Sails Ahead Of Olympics

The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
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Paris's Moulin Rouge Inaugurates New Windmill Sails Ahead Of Olympics

The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights
The broken sails of the landmark red windmill atop the Moulin Rouge, Paris' most famous cabaret club, are taken away after they fell off during the night in Paris, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Purchase Licensing Rights

Paris's Moulin Rouge cabaret club, whose landmark windmill sails fell down in April, inaugurated its new blades on Friday, nearly a week before the Olympic torch was due to pass the venue.

Several hundred delighted locals and tourists gathered outside the club, one of the most visited attractions in the French capital, to celebrate the four red blades, decked out in gold and red, AFP reported.

"The windmill without its wings is a void for Paris, it was just sad," said managing director Jean-Victor Clerico, who runs the family business that attracts 600,000 visitors every year.

"The idea was to be ready for the Olympic Games," he added, which begin on July 26.

The Olympic torch is due to pass the venue on July 15.

A show of French cancan, the wild traditional dance from Jacques Offenbach's operettas of the early 19th century, was performed in front of the club on Friday by dancers in traditional petticoats and frills.

"I live in the neighbourhood and the Moulin Rouge has been part of my life for 65 years. I'm a fan of dancing, the French cancan, bubbles and good humour," Nicole Doucin, 86, told AFP.

"I heard of the inauguration on TikTok and I've always wanted to come to a show but it's so expensive, so it's so cool to watch this," said Autumn Mannsfeld, 25, from California.

The sails fell down on the night of April 25.

The first three letters on the cabaret's facade -- M, O and U -– also fell off. No one was injured in the incident.

The club's management has said it has ruled out any "malicious act".

The birthplace of the cancan and the location for Baz Luhrmann's film "Moulin Rouge", the club has since remained open to the public.