Princess Diana's 'Elvis Dress' back in Britain after court battle

Jan 4, 2006, 17:14 GMT

London - One of the late Princess Diana's most iconic outfits which was auctioned in New York in 1997 is back in Britain after a lengthy legal battle with its American owners, it was reported Wednesday.

The striking oyster pearl and sequin-encrusted white silk evening gown and matching high-collared bolero jacket - which the Princess called her 'Elvis Dress' - raised 81,203 pounds (138,000 dollars) for charity in a glitzy New York auction in June 1997.

The princess, who died two months later in a car crash in Paris, had asked at the time not to be woken to be told the results of the Christie's sale in New York, media reports said.

The 'Elvis Dress', created by British designer Catherine Walker, has now been donated to London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) by The Franklin Mint, the American souvenir company that bought it and created a Diana doll wearing a replica.

The company's owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, were involved in a lengthy legal battle with the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund over the Mint's souvenirs bearing the Princess's image, which was eventually settled out of court.

Curators at the V&A are delighted with the 'fantastic' dress, which will go on public display in mid-January. Diana wore the dress during an official visit with Prince Charles to Hong Kong in 1989.