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Diana ordered this dress for her trip to Pakistan in September 1991, and according to Catherine Walker's autobiography, the luxurious gold and silver beaded embroidery was designed to evoke a Mughal tapesty. However, Diana was never seen in it there (there was an official dinner she missed, her plane was grounded due to bad weather, perhaps this was meant for that occasion). It wasn't seen publicly until June of 1995, when on a visit to Moscow in her capacity as patron of the Tushinskaya Children's Hospital Charitable Trust
, a British charity that supported the largest children's hospital in Moscow, Diana wore it to the Bolshoi Ballet.(Left) It was still an appropriate choice, as the embroidery pattern did also look Byzantine, and the luxurious gold embroidery also was reminiscent of the glittering interior of the Winter Palace. She wore it again to another ballet, the production of 'Alice in Wonderland' by the English National Ballet (of which she was patron) in March of 1996. (Right) In its current design, this was an odd choice to commission for a trip to a Muslim country, with its very short skirt and cap sleeves. It may be that it started out as a more appropriate dress or gown, and after her separation from Charles, she didn't feel the need for many more such gowwn and sent it back to the designer to be remade into a cocktail dress. This dress was still in her wardrobe at Kensington Palace when she died, and is now in the collection of her clothing at Althorp.
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 | This recreation for the Franklin Mint Diana the People's Princess doll is made from a metallic gold embroidered fabric, and features metallic embroidery trim at the neckline, armholes, and hem. It is fully lined in white, and closes in the back with a zipper. Includes lace and satin clutch bag. Shown with the earrings from the Franklin Mint Casual Khaki Outfit. Cross strap shoes by S'nE. (There was only a limited amount of material for this, no more can be made) |  |
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