The gown Princess Diana wore to a gala dinner at the White House in 1985 is to be cost auction for an approximated ₤ 350,000.
On 9 November 1985, the Princess of Wales participated in the event, which was hosted by then-President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, using a midnight blue, Victor Edelstein dress.
The gown included off-the-shoulder straps, a floor-sweeping velvet skirt, a decorative acquiesce one side and layers of tulle petticoats.
For the occasion, the royal accessorised the gown with an oval sapphire and diamond locket that was surrounded by strands of pearls.
The item was a wedding present from the Queen Mother and was initially a brooch before Diana had it converted into a choker.
While the exquisite gown was newsworthy in its own right, the garment ended up being one of the royal's most renowned attire after footage of her dancing with Grease star John Travolta was seen worldwide.
The gown was a firm favourite of Diana's and was worn by her on at least 4 other celebrations, consisting of a state check out to Austria in 1986 and a night at the Royal Opera House in 1991. She also wore it for her portrait by Lord Snowden in 1997.
In June 1997-- simply two months before the royal's death-- Diana auctioned off the dress for ₤ 100,000 to raise funds for Aids charities.
Florida-based businesswoman Maureen Dunkel purchased the gown and kept it in her ownership till it was sold for ₤ 240,000 in March 2013.
According to reports, a British male acquired the item as a gift to cheer up his spouse.
Now, Diana's velvet dress is up for sale once again, with London-based auction house Kerry Taylor Auctions estimating it will be cost ₤ 350,000.
" This is thought about one of the most important and iconic gowns ever worn by the Princess," stated Lucy Bishop, of Kerry Taylor Auctions.
" The images of her being twirled around on the dance floor by a handsome John Travolta at the White House triggered an experience at the time, and stay so remarkable today.".
Bishop described the gown as an "unusually glamorous choice" for the young Princess, who would typically choose more demure looks to stick to royal protocol.
" She understood that night would be sprayed with stardust from the few Hollywood stars also invited, and made the most of the celebration," Bishop stated.
In an interview with People publication in 1985, Travolta exposed that he was invited to the event by Nancy Reagan, who desired him to dance with Diana.
" She asked me if I would mind dancing with the princess later on in the night," Travolta remembered.
" I asked if that was appropriate, and Mrs Reagan smiled and stated, 'Oh yes. It's one of her wishes. When the music from your movie turns up, if you wouldn't mind just asking her if she 'd care to dance'.".