When Princess Diana gracefully walked the red carpet at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, every eye was on her — cameras flashing, shutters snapping, the crowd captivated by her angelic presence.
Yet beneath the soft folds of her powder-blue tulle gown, there was more than just a stunning fashion statement.
A style that spoke volumes
Princess Diana always drew attention at public appearances. Nicknamed “The People’s Princess,” she exuded charm and warmth — and with her wardrobe, she quietly transformed royal fashion. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Diana became a global style icon, often choosing softer, more relatable outfits instead of sticking to stiff royal traditions.
One of her favorite style choices? Pastel tones. These gentle, graceful colors became a signature in her closet — from sharp suits to flowing dresses.
Among her many unforgettable fashion moments, one that stands out — though it often flies under the radar — took place in 1987.
Diana’s time at Cannes with Prince Charles was short — only about 10 hours. Officially, the royal pair attended to pay tribute to Sir Alec Guinness, show support for the British film scene, and take part in a fancy black-tie gala at the Festival Palace.
Intense security at the Gala dinner
Diana stayed silent at dinner, but all eyes were on her. The event became the festival’s hottest ticket, with tight security and passport checks.
At the screening of The Whales of August, she appeared in a stunning powder-blue gown by Catherine Walker. Photographers captured her every move—the chiffon scarf flowing gracefully.
But this dress was more than fashion. It was a subtle tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco, whose elegance and tragic story deeply influenced Diana.
Grace Kelly, born in Philadelphia and known for her elegance, left Hollywood at 26 to marry Prince Rainier III and become Princess of Monaco.
She tragically died in a car crash five years before the 1987 Cannes Film Festival—the same fate Princess Diana would face ten years later.
Barely a mention
At Cannes that night, few in the media noticed Diana’s pale blue gown was a quiet tribute to Grace Kelly’s timeless elegance.
Back in 1987, newspapers barely mentioned it. But today, the connection is clear.
Diana’s dress, with its icy blue color and flowing style, echoed the iconic gown Grace wore in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, filmed along the French Riviera.
Grace Kelly wore a light blue gown designed by Edith Head in the 1955 film To Catch a Thief. Diana and her designer Catherine Walker took inspiration from Grace’s iconic screen presence — even choosing the same shade of blue that Hitchcock selected to convey cool, untouchable beauty.
Diana and Grace shared a special, though brief, connection. In 1981, after Diana’s engagement, she met Grace at a charity gala. Overwhelmed and nervous, the 19-year-old broke down in tears in the ladies’ room. Grace, then 51, comforted her and gave advice only someone familiar with royal life could offer. This moment deeply impacted Diana.
Cannes held special meaning for Princess Grace—it was where she met Prince Rainier in 1955. Thirty-two years later, Diana quietly honored Grace by wearing a flowing dress that caught the breeze during a film screening, as Newsweek noted.
Diana wore the same gown again at the Miss Saigon premiere two years later. In 1997, months before her death, she auctioned it at Christie’s charity event, selling it for $70,700. The dress reappeared in a 2013 auction, raising over $132,000 for children’s charity.
In 2017, it was displayed at Kensington Palace, marking 20 years since Diana’s passing. The dress remains a symbol of her style, grief, and tribute to Grace, capturing a moment beyond the photographers’ lens on that windy Cannes night.
